Lib Dems Pledge Public Consultation After Local Plan Challenge Defeated

Published on: 6 Dec, 2019
Updated on: 6 Dec, 2019

The Liberal Democrat group at Millmead are introducing “a series of policies and public consultations” as they begin to implement Guildford’s controversial Local Plan after the judicial review decision, on Wednesday (December 4) that the adoption process was lawful.

The reaction came from the Lib Dem party as opposed to the borough council because we are in a period of pre-election purdah.

The party continues to distance itself from the adoption decision, the last taken by the previous Conservative administration just a week before their party suffered a historic defeat at the local election in May. But Lib Dem leader Caroline Reeves, now council leader, did vote with most Conservatives, for adoption.

In the face of continuing concern, and some anger, over the impact the Plan will have on the borough, the Lib Dems, being the largest group and narrowly in control at the council, have confirmed they recognise successful implementation relies on sufficient extra infrastructure.

The construction of thousands of houses on green belt land, without creating a negative effect on the environment as demands for Climate Emergency action increase, will be a major challenge.

The Lib Dems say they are committed to implementing the Plan “without sacrificing the bio-diversity and openness of our incredible green borough”.

Joss Bigmore, leader of the opposition and the second-biggest Residents for Guildford and Villages Group at Millmead, said in reaction to news of the JR result: “I’m sure we will see lots of self-congratulatory nonsense from the usual suspects but the grown-ups will have to try and turn a dog’s dinner into something more palatable.”

The unsigned statement from the Liberal Democrats local branch reads, in full: “The High Court decision marks the beginning of a journey for Guildford Borough Council. The Lib Dems wanted to defer the adoption of the Local Plan until after the borough elections but were outvoted by the Conservative majority.

“The adoption of the Local Plan was followed by Judicial Review challenges in the High Court. With those legal challenges now dismissed, it is up to us to ensure that the Local Plan, whatever its imperfections, is implemented to the highest standards.

“The key part of the Local Plan is that the infrastructure such as transport, schools and health facilities have to be an integral part of applications.

“We will demonstrate our commitment to our residents and our environment by supporting high-quality development which tackles our housing crisis without sacrificing the bio-diversity and openness of our incredible green borough.

“We will be strengthening our resolve in this matter through a series of policies and public consultations over the coming new year.”

Responses to Lib Dems Pledge Public Consultation After Local Plan Challenge Defeated

Julian Cranwell Reply

December 7, 2019 at 7:49 am

Oh great, another set of consultations, the results of which will be just as totally ignored as the original ones.

This is more patent hypocrisy for the Lib Dems. This plan can never be implemented “without sacrificing the bio-diversity and openness of our incredible green borough”, as they claim.

Our bio-diversity will be irreparably damaged by the destruction of the green belt. This is incontrovertible and will do nothing to prevent the ongoing climate emergency, which they claim to be so concerned about.

It is hypocritical to blame the Tories, when their leader voted in favour of their plan throughout, and are now in an effective coalition with the Tories, which is not what residents voted for.

Their leadership chose to defend the JRs, without the knowledge, or involvement, of all councillors.

This statement is nothing but cynical electioneering, as they fear their position to date on the green belt will be as damaging to them for the national election, as it was for the Tories during the local election.