Drake Park Appeal Dismissed

Residents Association and Liberal Democrat Councillors have issued the following Press Release:

DRAKE PARK  – APPEAL DISMISSED

Residents’ Association (RAs) and Liberal Democrat Councillors are absolutely delighted that the appeal into an application to build 1024 homes on Green Belt on land adjacent to Field Common in Walton has been dismissed by the Secretary of State. The application has been refused outline planning permission.

The recent joint RA – Lib Dem administration worked together to ensure that Elmbridge’s Green Belt was robustly defended. The best planning consultants and barristers were appointed to defend the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission on the Green Belt. The RAs and Liberal Democrats are proud that they have been successful in defending that decision.

Many RA and Lib Dem Councillors attended the Public Inquiry and supported local residents who rightly voiced strong concerns about building over 1000 homes on the Green Belt.

Residents’ Association and Liberal Democrat Councillors place on record their thanks to all the Officers of the Council who worked long hours in putting together the Council’s case.

This appeal decision follows from the large amount of work done by the administration in protesting to the Government about the housing need imposed on the Borough and the threat to the Green Belt.  The decision of the joint RA-Lib Dem administration to delay the production of the Local Plan until the evidence base was complete, and the revised National Planning Policy Framework had been published, has been completely vindicated by the appeal decision. The Appellants accused the Council of ducking difficult decisions and not planning for the homes Elmbridge needs.  However, in dismissing the appeal it is clear that the Secretary of State accepts that a robust plan, and a plan led approach, is the right approach.

There is strong commitment by the RAs and the Lib Dems, whether in the administration or not, to defend the Green Belt robustly. We will continue to protest to the Conservative government about the large housing need the Government has imposed on the Borough.

We are proud of our record in administration of defending the Green Belt.

For further information contact:

Cllr Stuart Selleck  (RA)

Cllr Karen Randolph (RA) former Portfolio Holder, Planning,

Cllr Andrew Davis (Liberal Democrats)

 

Published on Friday, May 25th, 2018
in General Interest