Praise as City Council ditches LDF timetable to give Winchester control of its own destiny under new Government.
The Conservative Leader of Winchester City Council has asked officers to draw up, with immediate effect, a new timetable for Winchester’s Local Development Framework (LDF).
The LDF is a blueprint for development across the district over the next 20 years and must be produced, including adherence to national housing targets, in line with rules set down by Government.
Cllr George Beckett made the move following a review of progress carried out by the Planning Inspectorate which raised significant issues for the programming and timing of the document.
Working closely with Prospective MP Steve Brine, Cllr Beckett also sought legal advice, and clarification from Conservative Colleagues in the Shadow Cabinet who are pledged to abolish regional planning and centrally imposed housing targets in the event of a Conservative Government being elected next year.
The effect of this new programme is to ensure that no irreversible or significant decisions are taken, particularly as regards housing numbers and Strategic Development sites, before the general election, which is expected to be held in May 2010. Cllr Beckett said; “This important change will enable Winchester to take advantages of any subsequent changes in the South East Regional Plan or future Government policy which give local planning authorities more autonomy when dealing with strategic development plans, and the ability to take into account local views”.
Cllr Beckett added “I am pleased to be able to take this opportunity for Winchester people to have more say in the future of the City and District in the event of a Conservative Government being elected next year. In that event the imposition of the damaging housing targets will be removed, and we can plan together locally for the growth that we feel Winchester needs”
Winchester’s Prospective Conservative MP Steve Brine, added; “David Cameron made it clear when he was in Winchester that a future Conservative Government will abolish regional planning and return these decisions to locally elected councilors. It is not in taxpayers’ interests for the City Council to spend time and money implementing Labour policies that could be scrapped within a year, so all credit to the Council for grabbing this opportunity with both hands. This is a good news story, I just wish the local Liberal Party would – for once – rise to the occasion and believe in Winchester instead of pouring scorn on everything just for narrow party political gain”.
“This important means also means that we have thrown a significant spanner in the works of plans to build on Barton Farm. Cllr Richard Worrall, who spoke at the recent Save Barton Farm march alongside Steve Brine - and who voted against proposals to develop Barton Farm at full council - said: “The decision to delay the process is good news. I have consistently opposed plans to develop Barton Farm and will continue to do so. We need a change of government to abolish regional planning targets and return these decisions to locally elected councillors.”
Pictured; Winchester's wonderful Barton Farm site
More information …
Read ‘Control Shift – Returning Power to Local Communities’ which contains the Conservative policy proposals that will return real decision making to the hands of elected local councillors. Click here. (opens a PDF file in a new window).