MP'S "DISAPPOINTMENT" AT WIMPEY INQUIRY

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has expressed his “huge disappointment” at the handling of the Wimpey planning inquiry by the Borough Council.

“I duly arrived to give my own evidence against the scheme, but was gobsmacked to hear from the Planning Inspector that the Borough Council had already conceded several key arguments. First, they were not arguing about the flood risk on the site. Second, they conceded that the traffic issues could be overcome by a suitably priced ‘package’ of traffic management measures.”

“But most dramatically, they had accepted at the very outset the principle that there should be development on this site. I suppose they feel they had to, as it was the current ruling group who put it in the Borough Plan in the first place.”

“At times, it almost seemed that the Borough Council were batting for the other side, rather than standing up for local residents. So much for all the colourful campaign promises during the recent local elections!”

I was also less than impressed that the Council’s Opening Submission ran to a mere two pages, whereas that for Wimpey was twelve pages. Were they merely going through the motions?”

24 June 2009