Letter: The Conservatives Are Driving a Coach and Horses Through National Planning Policy

Published on: 2 Nov, 2017
Updated on: 2 Nov, 2017

From Ben Paton

In response to: Is It Time to Take Away Planning Responsibility from the Council?

Execution of a local planning authority’s quasi-judicial power to make and implement planning policy should no more be left to elected councillors than the interpretation of Catalonia’s constitution should be left to its local politicians.

There should be a proper separation of roles to address obvious conflicts of interest and independent scrutiny to uphold the rule of law. No organisation has the right to be both the judge and the jury in the appraisal of its own performance.

The rule of law has been brought into disrespect by the efforts of the local Guildford Conservative party to drive a coach and horses through national planning policy.

A “trajectory” begun by former Cllrs Mansbridge and Juneja has been continued unchanged by Cllr Spooner who holds the two most important positions in the council – leader and lead councillor for planning.

Why is new green belt proposed for Ash & Tongham – contrary to national policy?

Why is the SHMA arithmetic kept a secret?

Why are sustainable urban extensions around Guildford and Ash & Tongham reduced in number and size in the latest draft local plan?

Why is no proper sequential testing applied to potential development sites?

Why did the Conservative majority refuse to scrutinise the SHMA?

Why is the leader of the council also in charge of the local plan?

Why don’t council officials keep minutes of meetings with developers as required by the code of planning conduct?

Why don’t GBC and Surrey Police enforce the Road Traffic Acts at Elm Corner and along Hyde Lane?

Just like the Catalan “independentists”, the ruling majority in Guildford thinks it is a law unto itself. Their reasoning: if we have a majority we can do anything we like. That’s the logic of cronies.

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