Another political council votes to give Scientology leader David Miscavige what he wants
As expected, the Mid Sussex District Council voted yesterday — 8 to 1 with 2 abstentions — to ignore the warnings from environmentalists and other nonprofit organizations and to allow Scientology to pave over some pristine rural English countryside for a car park that will only be used three days of the year.
A couple of years ago, former London Scientology staffer Alex Barnes-Ross noticed that Scientology had not been seeking the proper permits to up a giant tent at its UK headquarters, Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England, for its annual autumn “IAS gala.”
Rather than knuckle under and ask for that permission, Scientology leader David Miscavige went big, asking local political bodies to approve his plans to turn a couple of rural fields into car parking areas, and adding a set of restrooms and outdoor lighting.
Environmentalists pointed out that this was a bad idea in an area that still retains its forested charm, and would threaten critical habitat for the Great Crested Newt, a highly protected species in England.
Despite criticism from environmental groups, the Mid Sussex District Council’s Planning Committee met yesterday and voted to give Scientology the permission to pave over the fields.
During the hearing, the council heard from Alex, who had sent in a statement that was read to the councillors…
This application seeks to make permanent alterations to over 5 hectares of unspoiled, protected rural countryside. Although the proposal seeks to embed a plastic geocell grid into the ground, giving the car park area the appearance of a field for the majority of the year, planning policy states the protection of the National Landscape goes beyond purely visual impact. This will result in a fundamental change to the use of the land, and the Council’s own report acknowledges the harm and damage this will do to the local area and nearby heritage buildings.
However, perhaps more concerning are the number of inaccuracies and falsehoods presented by the applicant, and seemingly endorsed by Officers in their report. At a Premises Licence Review hearing just a few months ago, Scientology’s lawyers admitted in this very chamber that the IAS event — which this application seeks to provide infrastructure for — is not religious in nature, and does not involve any acts of worship. It is a fundraising, money-making event for an overseas entity that extracts huge amounts of wealth from the local economy. The applicant’s, and the officers’ agreement that Saint Hill has religious significance for Scientologists and that this should be given extra weight in terms of demonstrating a public benefit are not only misleading, but demonstrably false. The IAS event, as per the applicant’s legal representatives and indeed the reports submitted as part of their application, is not open to the public apart from one day a year and although there are reassurances the carpark could be used by the local sports club, there is no evidence to suggest such an agreement would last indefinitely.
Similarly, the applicant and indeed the officers’ report suggests that due to the so-called religious significance of the site, no alternative venues have been deemed appropriate for this event… and yet the applicant’s own reports detail how over the years, 25 percent of these annual IAS events have indeed taken place elsewhere. The Church recently secured permission to build a huge events venue at their worldwide headquarters in Florida, where this IAS event will eventually move to — meaning this development will result in permanent alterations to a protected AONB, yet only see temporary use until their new venue opens in the US.
Finally, it is important for Councillors to note the economic impact assessment is based on figures provided by the applicant themselves and cannot be substantiated. There has been no independent assessment conducted by the Council, or indeed any verification that the figures provided are accurate. The suggestion this event carries a greater benefit to the UK economy than Eurovision is laughable at best. Although a number of attendees visit from overseas, the majority of them stay in hotels owned by Scientologists, who in turn donate their profits back to the Church. There is no mention of the fact last year Scientology’s biggest donor was awarded for donating $360 million. This event creates a closed loop economy and in fact, extracts wealth from the area.
Any reasonable person would consider a 5 hectare development to be ‘major’, and it simply does not serve the public interest. I therefore urge Councillors to reject this proposal.
Despite that objection, the council voted for Scientology’s application. We asked Alex how he felt about it.
“During the debate, Councillor John Dabell remarked that this is just the latest in a string of developments over the years at what should be considered a sensitive, protected site. But as he noted, Scientology will find a way to get what they want regardless. I am shocked to hear that Councillors assessed this application on the basis that it’s an improvement to how the site is currently being used, completely neglecting the fact this event has taken place annually in illegal structures erected without permission,” Alex answered.
We’re shocked too, Alex.
Just a couple of weeks after the Clearwater City Council in Florida approved a similar request from Scientology, giving up a local street for the church’s control, the district council in England approved another seemingly unnecessary request.
Is Scientology really this scary? Can local politicians really not tell when they’re being gaslit by this strange organization?
What a result.
RFK Jr and Scientology
We first noted the odd relationship between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Scientology back in 2015, and more recently because of his ties to a Scientologist law firm which is attacking Scientology’s traditional enemy: the psychiatric profession.
Now, Judd Legum’s Popular Information newsletter does a terrific job putting together the whole picture of how RFK Jr. and the Wisner Law Firm are working together to advance Scientology’s anti-psychiatry goals, and specifically against anti-depressants (SSRIs)…
Scientologists have praised Kennedy’s actions as HHS secretary to cast doubt on SSRIs.
The president of CCHR’s National Affairs Office called the May 4 initiative to stop “psychiatric overprescribing” an “extremely important step forward in correcting the nearly sole reliance on psychiatric drugs as mental health treatment—drugs which the latest scientific research finds do more harm than good.”
CCHR also issued a press release saying it “applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for launching a significant initiative to address psychiatric drug prescribing,” though it encouraged HHS to go further.
Kennedy’s actions are a win a long time in the making for Scientologists.
Make sure you check it out!
Alex discusses the MSDC cave on Group Therapy!
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"Scientology will find a way to get what they want regardless." What the hell happened that 'counselors' automatically cave in when the Clampire comes knocking? Grow some gonads people! The car park isn't needed. The clams can park elsewhere and be bused in. Hell, improve the road so the buses and cars can get through without endangering those walking on the roads.
The use of buses for 3 days would seem to be a much better solution to destroying land with toilets and lights. What will those lights do 362 days a year? Temporary lights could be put in when the IAS comes to town, they aren't needed or wanted the rest of the year. The local bats will not be happy if the lights are on any time other then Big Erection Time.
I was in awe of Councillor Dabell when I first heard the news. I applaud him for speaking out and voting no. I also hope he secures all his online accounts and his trash. Thank you Cllr Dabell for your courage!