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Francis Maude MP urged to intervene in Billinghurst planning fiasco

Monday, 02 June 2014 09:03

Francis Maude MP urged to intervene in Billinghurst planning fiasco

2 June 2014

A news report in the West Sussex County Times reflected the increasing frustration locals in the Billingshurst district feel about their views being overruled by Horsham District Council's Development Control South committee. In the absence of an adopted planning framework, council officers recommended that councillors approve another in a series of major developments in Billingshurst on the grounds that it would be passed at Appeal by the Planning Inspectorate should they refuse it. The majority voted to approve the development at Marringdean Road.

Dr Roger Smith of CPRE Sussex told the West Sussex County Times:

"Essentially this development is being imposed on Billinghurst by the developers – with the acquiescence of the councillors who voted not to refuse the application.

"This contentious decision signals to developers that they, not the elected representatives, decide where and what will be built in the district and that the views of parish councils are irrelevant. Democracy has been undermined by this decision."

Dr Roger Smith also called for Horsham MP Francis Maude to intervene to challenge ministers who have created what he called "this appalling state of affairs".

 

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