A right to bid

FROGS are pleased with the decision to withdraw the planning application. It gives us some extra time as we develop a Charitable Trust and apply for funding in the hope of being able to bid when the school is eventually sold. It also offers space for direct dialogue with the Diocese and with senior Derbyshire County councillors about our plans, which they have so far refused. Their original planning application claimed, without any evidence, that conversion to flats was the only viable option. In spite of loads of press publicity and contact from FROGS they merely maintained that no party had come forward with any concrete offers. In the new Localism Act  the national Government recognises that every neighbourhood has buildings that play a vital role in local life and if they are sold into private use this can be a real loss to the community.But community groups often need more time to organise a bid and raise money than the private enterprises against whom they are bidding. In its 'Community Right to Bid' provision the Act, which comes into force in April, would give  FROGS the time to develop a bid and raise money to buy the school building when it comes on the open market. FROGS and over 300 supporters will  be watching to see if  the Conservative County Council  follows the lead of Government in recognising the rights and freedoms the Act offers to local people, or will it merely pay it lip service as in the original application.

Diocese pull plans

We've received the news today that the Diocese (and we suspect the County behind them) have withdrawn their planning application. We understand that this is in order to add new information before the application is re-submitted.

It's not known what this new information might be but suspect it may be to address the heritage issues more effectively so that their submission may stand a better chance of acceptance.

It's important that we continue to build support. We now have over 300 signatures to our petition and some fabulous comments on the importance of the building to local people.

With this extra time FROGS will be pressing on with the formation of a charitable trust, viability study and business plan. Watch this space!

200 signatures!!

CONGRATULATIONS all our supporters!! This morning our petition had its 200th signature! This is an amazing result in just under a week. But let's keep up the good work towards our target of 500 signatures. Please send an email to all your contacts, especially those in Glossop, reminding them about the petition and inviting them to sign if they haven't already done so.