“The Co-op have been well and truly beaten over their crazy idealogical proposal to plant a new town the size of Hinckley on the doorstep of Leicester.

Their Head of Planning, Ruaridh Jackson states "this is what we were expecting", what absolute poppycock.

Anyone with an ounce of commonsense knew this plan was doomed from the start. It was absolutely absurd to think that a development of this monumental size could ever pass the test laid down.

Best advice is, stop wasting your money and those of your members and put this proposal in the rubbish bin without further ado.

I know it's a bitter pill to swallow but your whole idea was fanciful in the extreme and never likely to see the light of day!!”

“For Michaels information the Charity farm was formed quite a few years before the Stretton Magna plan.”

“Mr Goodyer, the Co-op has no interest in our communities at all. The Stoughton Farm Estate is run as a huge agro-business from Manchester : nothing wrong with that but do not pretend the Co-op is a paternalistic organisation when it is not. It is a huge capitalist for-profit economic enterprise : absolutely fine as long as it is recognised for what it is. The days when it joined in with the local community are sadly long gone. It also has a disgraceful record as landlord : just what you would expect from an absentee landlord that cares not a jot about local people and just wants to destroy communities in pursuit of financial gain. The Pennbury debacle has at least shown the Co-op in its true colours. The damage to its reputation will take a lot of repairing.”

“We received £50 from the Midland Co-Op last year. We have never received anything from the Co-Op nationally or from Co-Op Estates. I do not need cash incentives to recognise the importance of working with the private sector to create jobs, houses and employment. The key issue is that they must meet local need and follow the local planning planning process. I am more than willing to work with anyone including Ruraidh Jackson to deliver what the community needs and wants. I have also never hesitated to oppose developers who step outside of these boundaries, as is proven by my record of opposing the development of Dishley Grange and the Thurmaston SUE”

“Reading the comments over the past few months has been riverting - baiscally its down the NIBYs- but of course cause it did not affect the the high flyers in Oadby Wigston it was ok to spoil the countryside in Barrow with 400 houses and now another prosposed 300 houses - and how did Barrow Council react to that!!! - Also what happened about the so called consultation process where we were promised there would be no 3 story houses - simple when you have planning permission, just put in a revision.”

“I have worked in economic development all my life, mainly as an engineer helping new companies develop new products and markets. I have also worked with many developers. There is nothing wrong with profit. If a developer is offering to invest in your area then the best approach is to try and work with them to deliver what your community needs. I have never said anything for or against Pennbury, as it is not in Charnwood - however now that that debate is over (for now anyway) I am more than willing to ask them to invest in Charnwood CLP area instead - we want affordable homes, we want new skills and employment opportunities, we want a better public trasnsport system with trams stations for Syston & Thurmaston, and we want to work with the private sector to deliver those jobs and homes and services. These are locally agreed objectives, in the local plan, and will be delivered by the local planning process. Someone has to deliver them, and that will always be a developer, be it the Co-Op, Redrow, W Davis or whoever. Encouraging inward investment into Charnwood to meet local need is part of my job as Shadow MP, as Stoughton do not thismoney I am sure I can find suitable sites in Charnwood instead for them to build the houses we need. We have 2715 families on our social housing waiting list, we have derelict brown field sites they can be built on, and we youngsters looking for jobs and new skills.”

“No. chance. The Co-op will never give up. 20 years ago they attempted to destroy esyt Leicestershire with Stretton Magna, after failing they eationalised their farming operation and the n built on the likes of former dairy units at Little Stretton and Charity Farm at Stoughton and have infilled where ever possible.

Be prepared to stand firm against the Co=op because they are bound to be back with another plan after a cooling off period.”

“Can Eric Goodyer for the record confirm if the Charnwood Labour Party is receiving any money from the Co-op to fight the next election?”

“I believe Mr Goodyear that the Co-ops only interest in our community is to make profit and alot of it I seriously doubt they care about the things you are posting, I also believe that some council members will also do very well out of the Co-op if they do get a green light for another uselss project. Their M/O is as transparent as glass and I for one am very glad that this hair brained scheme can hopefully be put to bed now. I wonder know if we will see the usual comments from the usual people about how this development was 'already in the bag' - 'happening so we should all get used to it blah blah blah' please comment now!??! you know who you are but I am guessing you all will remain silent though. This was a terrible waste of money, our money and I for one would like to see the Co-op donating back the money they have taken from us! ill await my cheque in the post with an apology. Thank goodness common sense can still prevail even with this govenment in power. Well done to all who signed the petition! this shows that some where we still have a little say in what happens to our communities and surroundings, even if its a very very small say. I am very relived for all involved.”

“To Ross Wilmott and all your friends at the co-op - we are all laughing at you - still never mind your tram, you appear to still have your pram”