At least as far as work goes. But it's kind of good but bad.
The powers that be have decided that we need more homes in this part of the world. Especially "affordable" housing for local people (as opposed to ridiculously expensive prices-pushed-up-by-incomers stuff). But...instead of refurbishing the empty but scruffy homes in the city, or requisitioning the empty-most-of-the-year holiday/2nd homes or building new homes on derelict "brownfield" sites within the city they've decided to build a whole new town.
On green-belt land.
Three thousand new dwellings in fact, out on Rockbeare Straight near Jack-in-the-Green. Town to be called Cranbrook. Cran
brook, people. It's a flood-plain!! Oh well, they'll learn.
The NIMBYs are still protesting the loss of countryside and the increases in population/traffic/demands on local services, schools, etc. Not to mention that with jobs in the city are being cut left, right & centre. Shops closing. Major chains struggling in the recession etc. there'll be a problem finding work for all these new residents - because you can bet your last shilling that whatever the original intentions it won't be locals that get the house it'll be incomers on better wages...
The protests are fairly heated but it's pretty much a lost cause now. It's a done deal - they're already preparing the road by building a new bridge over the motorway. At least they've thought a bit about the traffic this would bring. Not thought
enough of course, since they're not planning on doing anything to the roads into the city (which get busy enough already).
The good news is there will be
hundreds of construction jobs going while they build the town. This is fantastic for local construction workers - we've had three major employers go belly-up in the past year -the contracts available for Cranbrook are a huge boost.
I sent my bids in today. With luck, by Easter I should know if I'm in work for the rest of the year. Good, well-paid work. It'll be great - it's been a very lean couple or three years.
I'm torn though. I'm glad of the chance of proper work - but my heart is with the NIMBYs - it's a crying shame to watch all those green meadows vanish under tarmac, brick, and concrete.
Ze
