Save Yeovil Rec campaigner facing prospect of £7,500 legal bill
A campaigner trying to prevent building on a much-loved recreation ground is facing the prospect of picking up a £7,500 legal bill.
South Somerset District Council wants to claim its costs of holding a public inquiry last week against Bob Tucker, the chairman of the Save Yeovil Rec group.
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Vivien Cornelius and Bob Tucker of the Save Yeovil Rec group. Mr Tucker is being threatened with having to pay legal costs because of his role opposing development on the green space
A one-day hearing looked at whether a footpath should be moved to make way for a publicly-funded £800,000 artificial hockey pitch on Yeovil Recreation Ground, affectionately known as Mudford Rec.
Mr Tucker and the Save Yeovil Rec action group oppose building on the popular green space and opposed an order to move the footpath – leading to the inquiry.
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Mr Tucker, as the named objector, is the target of any claims for costs.
The 63-year-old Marsh Lane resident said he was taking the council’s “heavy-handed” action as a threat.
He said at the end of the inquiry the council’s barrister William Webster got up and spoke to Councillor Tim Carroll and assistant-director Steve Joel who were watching the proceedings.
“He came back to his desk and told the inspector that the council want to claim costs from me,” said Mr Tucker.
“I am taking it as a direct threat by the council and its employees.
“It was my understanding that councillors or council staff should not make threats to members of the public.
“I was amazed because they are now trying to claim thousands of pounds from me for exercising my democratic right to challenge the council.
“I think such behaviour from South Somerset District Council could deter people to objecting in the future as they are worried they could be threatened with being thousands of pounds out of pocket.
“The amount of money we are talking about would obviously have a big impact on my and anyone’s livelihood.
“The Save Yeovil Rec group are strong and close-knit and we will get through this like we always have done.”
Planning inspector Roger Pritchard is due to decide whether the footpath can be moved. He will also decide whether Mr Tucker should pay the council’s legal costs.
Save Yeovil Rec spokesman Ashley Strelling condemned the council. He said: “It is completely outrageous that a council would turn on its own residents and threaten one man with its legal costs totalling thousands of pounds.
“If anyone is guilty of wasting taxpayers’ money it is the council. They were the ones who brought about a delay in the inquiry, they are the ones who are so hell-bent in bulldozing their proposals to build on the Rec despite huge public opposition.
“It is pure bully-boy tactics and we feel threatened. It is completely disgusting behaviour.”
South Somerset District Council was approached for comment but the authority only confirmed it was seeking to recover its costs.
8 Comments
by garydeco1
Monday, April 01 2013, 8:06PM
“Maybe one day you guys will see outside your little bubble first you need to grow up into the adult world of life SSDC use people like you as an excuse that all you viewed are x”
by ban_mimbys
Monday, April 01 2013, 7:50PM
“I have just found out that what this guy was protesting about was the fact that the coucil was making the current footpath official, not changing it! The footpath has been where it currently is for as long as I remember, and Mr Nimby is complaining as part of his small minded posturing in protest about a much needed hockey pitch. No wonder he should be made to pay!”
by ban_mimbys
Monday, April 01 2013, 7:27PM
“garydeco1 - where do you get your information from? The hockey facility will be used by Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey club which is open to anyone from age 5 or 6. Do you feel a bit left out? Perhaps you should join a club and resolve that instead of moaning about sports facilities that will help anyone who wants them!”
by ban_mimbys
Monday, April 01 2013, 7:20PM
“NIMYs again! Costing us money whilst pretending they speak for all of us and not just a few dog walkers. Give us the sports facilities we deserve!
We should have had a great sports facility bringing in money to the towns economy but it was ruined by the NUMBY brigade and the politcal posturing of the councillors. Its a digrace and this person should be made to pay the legal fees!
Sports not dog mess!”
by garydeco1
Sunday, February 10 2013, 8:53PM
“I'm glad the majority of Yeovil residents are not so naive as neilaj
Do you really think the Specialist HOCKEY pitch they want to build is for the public - people like you to use?
No its for the dedicated use of Yeovil College with limited public use at a cost
Please ignore the small minded open your eyes and see the bigger picture this is not about the facilities £££££££££££
Good Luck SYR Yeovil is behind you”
by garydeco1
Sunday, February 10 2013, 8:51PM
“I'm glad the majority of Yeovil residents are not so naive as neilaj
Do you really think the Specialist HOCKEY pitch they want to build is for the public - people like you to use?
No its for the dedicated use of Yeovil College with limited public use at a cost
Please ignore the small minded open your eyes and see the bigger picture this is not about the facilities £££££££££££
Good Luck SYR Yeovil is behind you”
by neilaj
Friday, February 01 2013, 11:09PM
“How does this bloke feel threatened? REALLY? Wake up call! this area is not for people who felt they spent lots of money to live in a plush area overlooking a park area. THIS IS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY! and I am "exercising my democratic right" to say you are wrong.”
by neilaj
Friday, February 01 2013, 10:58PM
“Make the ****** pay. This is a NIMBY in action, this is investment into sports and recreation. The previously proposed plans were scrapped by 'campaigners' which should have been allowed.
It is too common that a minority can complain and allow to be heard in local society "ooh ooh ooh I must complain about something". Without considering the wider community
This is a good proposal for the area and local residents should be happy that money is being spent in their constituary.
I hope that local residents get behind the proposals. I was previously a student at Westfield Community School and lived close to this area, this is clearly a green space that could be better used.”