STORM IN A DEW POND

From: Richard Cobb, Director of Environmental Services
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
10 December 1998.

Dear Mr Fisher,
EXTENSION TO LAKE OFF RAVENSHAW LANE

I have recently received an enquiry concerning an alleged engineering operation in the form of the excavation of a new lake or extension to a lake at Ravenshaw.

 As I understand it, a new pond/lake has been created, linked to an existing one....... It is clear that fairly substantial works have been undertaken. I must advise you that engineering operations such as this constitute development and therefore require planning permission. I have no record of any planning application .... it would appear that a breach of planning control has occurred. ....... I would appreciate a full written explanation ....... within 14 days. Yours etc. RICHARD COBB

From: M. Fisher to Richard Cobb.
16 December 1998.
Dear Richard,
DESTRUCTION OF ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE

On the Day of Judgment, when our Creator asks 'where have all the entrepreneurs and innovators in Solihull gone' I shall be able to answer with honesty and nearly 30 years of bitter experience, that they were destroyed, at their own expense, and by Solihull's planning department.

 Your expertise in job destruction and innovation elimination has, over the many years that we have been involved together, been more successful than bombing. In both my life as an employer and my life as a preserver of the green belt, I have found myself diametrically opposed to your good self at almost every turn. My side has always triumphed, but at serious expense, with many lost jobs and opportunities, and much misplaced effort.

 I was reminded when I received your most recent letter that the last time we corresponded on the environment it was you also accusing me then of having no planning permission for a three-acre lake....... I replied at once saying that our lake did have planning permission, that all negotiations were with one Richard Cobb and that the planning permission was signed by another Richard Cobb. You chose not to give me the courtesy of any reply, and after considerable delay, and in complete frustration, I sent all the correspondence to a local newspaper. You said that you were distressed at my attitude.

 Well, I am distressed at your attitude on this issue and you may notice(1)that I am not waiting on your decision as to whether or not you choose to reply before I take further action.

 Your department has written once and had a long conversation with my business partner....... Two members of your department have visited the site, and you now seek further information from me....... Most Solihull ratepayers would be amazed that you either need so much information, or that you have nothing better to do with your time and our money.

 The pond in question is a dew pond well denoted on any Ordinance Survey map in enclosure No 1939 and certainly shown on my OS map dated 1939...... The work that you refer to cost less than £300 in total, which included the hire of a machine and the grass seed to make the ground good Ð I did the job myself in 22 hours. There were no other materials used. How on earth your department can possibly imagine that that requires planning permission, or anything approaching it, baffles everybody.

 The original dew pond was created, presumably without planning permission, by a higher authority even than yours. About 10 to 12 years ago I restored a natural flow of water to the dry pond, and most recently extended it into the barren piece of ground under the MEB's dreadful electricity pylon, which specifically requires than 'nothing grows under it'. Water provides the ideal, maintenance-free solution.

 You can have no idea, Richard, how your constant and incompetent interference in the efforts of others to create employment, wealth, innovation and a pleasant environment is so counter-productive. It is you and your work which are dragging us down. Please get your destroyer out of my dew pond.

 Yours etc. MIKE FISHER

From: Lord Haskins, Chairman, Better Regulation Task Force, Cabinet Office.
Dear Mike,
ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE

......I read with interest about the nightmares which local authorities can create... the Task Force deals with many areas of regulation which do not appear to meet our principles, including theat bureaucratic mindset which you highlight.

 ....John Reid is the official responsible at the government offices for the West Midlands. A copy of this letter goes to him, and I might suggest that you also forward him your correspondence.

 Yours etc. CHRISTOPHER HASKINS

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