Planning change offers real opportunity to Winchester as Barton Farm decision looms says new MP Steve Brine.
New Winchester MP Steve Brine says major changes to the planning system provide a “real opportunity” for Winchester to reassert control over its’ destiny.
The new Government is honoring a key manifesto pledge to remove regional planning and the central housing targets contained within the South East Plan. Earlier this year developers were given permission to build on Francis Gardens in Abbots Barton and the targets are now driving the release of key sites around the city including controversial developments at Pitt Manor and Barton Farm.
The new Secretary of State Eric Pickles has confirmed his intention to bring forward the Decentralisation and Localism Bill which contains proposals to free local government from central and regional control, give local communities a real share in local growth and create a more efficient and local planning system.
Mr Brine has been making the case for Winchester with Ministers in the new Government during his first days in the job; “New legislation will of course take time and I am acutely aware that is not something we have a great deal of when it comes to both Pitt Manor and Barton Farm. As soon as I arrived in the House of Commons I sought clarification from Eric Pickles and am delighted to report that the Government's announcement we will abolish the regional spatial strategy can be taken into account straight away as 'emerging policy' and is a material consideration for planners. This means the Winchester City Council planning committee and any Government Inspector must take into account the intention to remove these damaging central targets.
“Furthermore, I am advised that the Department for Communities and Local Government will be issuing a substantive planning statement within weeks which will have the full force of official planning guidance to scrap most of the regional planning policy. It will require some primary legislation to finish the job but planners should take a clear message from Government that they are not to plough ahead with controversial developments against the wishes of local people.”
Mr Brine added that he is now seeking urgent clarification from the new administration at Winchester City Council as to its’ intentions for both Pitt Manor and Barton Farm. “The new Government has done everything it promised and Winchester now has a real opportunity to take back control. I have written to the new leader at WCC asking her to work with me as the new Member of Parliament and to ensure we don’t miss this golden chance.”
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Visit the Save Barton Farm Group website via www.savebartonfarm.org