SAVED: THE APPEAL SITE - This is how the stables looks today, thanks to the sterling efforts of the Colonial Bulldog. The sire is not many hundreds of yards from Knockhatch Adventure Park.

In this true story, based on real events, the "Colonial Bulldog," was engaged by Michael and Valerie Punter in the matter of an appeal against refusal to grant planning permission the Wealden District Council (WDC) the matter to be heard by way of a Public Inquiry on 4th December 1997. The appeal was allowed by virtue of a Decision Letter dated ?????.

Our old friend, Ian Kay (assistant district planning officer), was involved of course. We might assume, and it is alleged that he would have masterminded the demolition of the stables comprising a horse sanctuary, wrongly advising the Area Plans South (APS) planning committee, that it would be lawful to demolish the buildings before an appeal was heard.

This council waited to serve notice on Christmas Eve, when they knew the owners of the stables would be on holiday. The ruse almost worked. If it had not been the stoic actions of a Wealden Action Group member, who drove all the way down to Bristol, to personally hand in a completed appeal for, with just minutes to spare. Or, an appeal would not have been valid. The Punters' would have been out of time, and were so shell-shocked by the demolition of their stables, presumably they could not think straight.

Ian Kay was also a witness on oath in the case of Stream Farm, Horam, where it is alleged the planning inspectorate had suggested that his evidence was far from satisfactory, and he should be replaced. Why then, Mr Kay was still working for WDC at the time of the Bushywood appeal, or later, pm Mr Warren's appeal, remains a mystery. Ian Kay remains at large. He has not yet been prosecuted for abusing his position of trust at this council, or for conspiring to cause loss, by virtue of his/their malicious campaigns, that cumulatively constitute misfeasance in public office. They are of course, serial offenders, their payment for such actions constituting proceeds of crime.

Readers are reminded that it is the duty of local councillors and members of parliament to keep control of wayward officers within their district. In addition, the police have a duty to prosecute offenders. But, in this case, Sussex police were in on the deceptions and abuses of positions of trust. In 1997 a number of Petitioners reported such crimes to Wealden, when a special panel was convened to take hear the complaints of 11 independent complainants.

Wealden's Lord Richard Newton, found that the complaints were criminal in nature, referring them to Sussex police, Deer Paddock in Hailsham, where Detective Sergeant Keith Lyndsay failed to investigate. He did not contact a single complainant to take Statements or gather evidence. He did though provide a sheet of official blank police headed paper to Wealden's officers, for them to write what they wanted Sussex police to say.

Clearly, to prevent such a conflict of interests, the matter should have been referred to an outside force for investigation. As per R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy 1924. The matter remains to be investigated. It bears all the hallmarks of the Post Office scandal, that broke in 2023.

Michael and Valerie Punter's local member was councillor Nick Ellwood, a local waste hauler, providing a skip service. Victor had been recommended by a member of the Wealden Action Group. They met at a meeting in Old Heathfield, when it was explained that no barrister would take the case, beliving any appeal could not be successful. Not only that, most planning firms in the region would not wish to upset their brother in arms, or their client's application would suddenly meet with all kinds of obstacles.

Prior to this appeal, Michael and Valerie Punter were publicans. They had employed solicitors ????? and racked up a considerable cost bill that was outstanding.

The grizzled human rights activist, Victor von Woolf, fights on, despite incredible odds, in similar manner to Aatami Korpi, in SISU

Regardless of his own problems, Victor took on the case, where Ian Kay and Wealden's chief enforcement officer at that time, David Phillips, were on some kind of a crusade against caravans and mobile homes. And it appeared this was the tail end of a battler against a local builder; Gordon Worcester, who had obtained permission for retention of the stables, as a personal permission. Such that it did not run with the land.

THE BREWING STORM

On reflection, and having won the Bushywood appeal, a high profile case that received much media attention, Victor is of the view, that going on to win the Twissells Mill appeal, made Wealden District Council even more determined to get him.

TV SERIES

This is just one (proposed) episode in a series based on factual, real life stories for television dramatizations. All based on documented case histories.

THE BULLDOG - Human Rights activists come in all shapes and sizes. The Bulldog began to turn the tables on corrupt planning officials, as he took them on and won appeals for those unable to afford expensive lawyers. Actions speak louder than words. The Colonial became a high profile advocate. The Advocate became a target that must be suffocated, no matter how. The stakes were high.