King Harry Playing Fields decision a blow for local democracy
6th April 2010
Anne Main comments on the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to allow the appeal for 150 residential dwellings on the former King Harry Playing Fields site.
Anne said:
“This is extremely disappointing. Once again the wishes of local people have been leapfrogged over by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate Quango.
Sadly, the case for refusal seems to have been weakened as a result of the playing fields having been identified by District councillors as a potential site for a housing development in 2005, but nevertheless I do not personally feel it should have been allowed. I have personally objected to planning proposals on this site several times. Local people want to keep them as a green space.
In planning, we need a system whereby local people truly have power to make the decisions which affect their communities. Local councillors had rejected this proposal and I think that decision should have been allowed to stand.”
