Jerry Roodhouse comments following Local Plan departures
Following the resignation of Portfolio Holder Councillor Heather Timms (one of the chief architects of the Local Plan) and the Head of Planning handing in his notice, Jerry Roodhouse has written to the local papers to express his concerns about whether there is a strong and clear vision at the Town Hall.
Dear Editor,
It was with interest that following the recent letter from the Planning Inspector, which made changes to the Local Plan, such as the removal of Lodge Farm along with other comments about its viability, the Portfolio Holder Councillor Heather Timms resigned and the Head of Planning for the borough had already handed his notice in and is moving on.
Cllr Tims seems to be abandoning the Local Plan and running away from the process leaving others to pick up the pieces. I remember the Special Council meeting held at the Benn Hall and despite resistance from many residents and Liberal Democrat Councillors the Local Plan was approved including Lodge Farm.
It's now clear that more time should have been taken to access the sustainability of the project. Strangely, contrary to the Portfolio Holder, Council Leader Michael Stokes voted to remove Lodge Farm, but voted in favour of the Local Plan as a whole. This left the Leader at odds with his Cabinet member who had championed the Local Plan.
I'm now left asking whether the Portfolio Holder and Head of Planning were pushed and if the whole administration is in disarray. The future of the borough is now in the hands of Conservative Councillors who seem to lack a coherent and strong vision for the future.
Yours sincerely,
Jerry Roodhouse