Following the disappointing news of our planning application being refused by the Snowdonia National Park planning authority we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from the local community and further afield around the UK.
We thank you all. It really has helped to boost our morale and has made us even more determined to press ahead.
Despite the outcome of the planning committee, we are heartened by the feedback we received from planning committee members that they supported our plans in principle and encouraged us to resubmit a modified application as soon as possible.
We have met with Caulmert Limited, our planning consultants, who have pledged to see us through to a successful conclusion. We have an action plan to resolve
outstanding issues and submit the revised application at the earliest opportunity. We will fight for this all the way.
The initial application cost us £250,000 and has virtually exhausted our reserves. We now find that instead of launching our appeal to build the extension we are appealing to build up a Fighting Fund to ensure that nothing is left to chance and see us over the line.
Our target is to raise £100,000.
One of our supporters has already pledged to match the first £20,000 pound for pound so your donation will be immediately doubled. The last time we asked for your help, you raised over £80,000 in just one month. This enabled us to pledge the necessary funds for Natural Resources Wales to incorporate 300 metres of track bed into their flood defence upgrade that was delivered earlier this year. As you can see from the photograph your money has been put to good use and has already made a big difference; planning permission will immediately allow us to lay track over that section.
A section of the recently completed flood defences and track bed.
To make this happen and get the permission to put track on this formation we need your help now more than ever and we WILL get it.
Once the extension is built, it is done for ever and will be completely sustainable.
To donate now to our Fighting Fund go to:
https://www.balalakerailwaytrust.org.uk/donate.html
If you can Gift Aid your donation it will be worth an extra 25%.
Thank you.