Letter: I am Considering A Complaint Over A Planning Issue

Published on: 14 Sep, 2017
Updated on: 14 Sep, 2017

From Adele Potter

I have not been involved in the Cllr Reeve complaints hearing, but I have experienced, first-hand, the poor handling of a planning issue in St Catherine’s by one of the complainants, who is also one of our local councillors, Caroline Reeves, and GBC’s planning department.

Those in the department do not seem to understand the basics of planning and conservation, nor are they living up to their own proclaimed standards of openness and transparency.

I am considering putting forward a formal complaint myself, regarding their conduct and the sheer quantity of mishaps and anomalies in the Guildford’s planning application procedure.

I have been left with no confidence in GBC’s planning department, nor have many others who have been left feeling isolated, traumatised and, in some cases, financially broken by trying to protect Guildford’s residential heritage and listed buildings.

Regarding the hearing, it is scandalous that some councillors wasted hard-earned taxpayers money, seemingly for political ends. As has been published, Cllr David Reeve estimates the cost of this hearing might be as much as £30,000.