Decision on Traveller sites imminent
20th October 2008
Anne Main has voiced her frustration at not being allowed to speak at the Examination in Public (EiP) of the Regional Spatial Strategy Single Review on Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England, which begins tomorrow.
Anne Main, MP for St Albans, has voiced her frustration at not being allowed to speak at the Examination in Public (EiP) of the Regional Spatial Strategy Single Review on Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England, which begins tomorrow.
An EiP follows a period of consultation on an issue and usually takes the form of a round table discussion and hearings, with formal hearings only if and when an Inspector considers there is a need for evidence to be subject to a formal cross examination.
Anne said:
"It is particularly frustrating that I was not allowed to speak at the EiP. However, I hope that my written submissions will be fully taken into account by the panel, as the decisions being taken will have far reaching implications for my constituents.
St Albans overwhelmingly declined to accept further Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and local people know that we already have a generous provision in our area. This examination of the evidence must take on board the views of local residents, factor in our current generous provision and not just be another Government box-ticking exercise.
The consultation process has already cost local taxpayers £46,000. In my opinion, the consultation was skewed as they did not offer a "no" option and always proposed 33 extra pitches for St Albans, whichever option was selected, and this cannot be right.""
