Oaklands Planning application - Decision - Approved

[mikeyking]

Dear All,

Here is my report as agreed, having attended the meeting on behalf of the RCA committee.

By the time you read this email you may already know that the result of last night's planning application, was that the South Area Planning Committee voted in favour of the Reccomendation from the Officers, to Approve the Outline Planning Application for Oaklands.

My count of the Vote was:- In Favour 15; Against 3.

Due to some technicality to do with the Lib Dem Focus flier issued in April 2009, that had an article about Oaklands on the front page, Cllr Sam Payne was told yesterday that she was not allowed to take part in the discussion or vote. She was however, allowed 3 minutes, before leaving the committee room, to put her points to the committee. That she did well, but it made no difference to the outcome.

John Hanscombe, for RRAG, and Cllr Geoff Worthington for the Parish Council both spoke very well for their allocated 3 minutes each, and Mr Utting spoke for the Developer.

Cllr Marge Harvey also spoke at length in oppostion to the recommendation, that focused on Traffic issues, and flooding, linked to this balance pond, and access to the site, with issues to do with living standards for those houses opposite to the entrance to the site also aired. All of this seemed to be ignored, together with the 142 Letters of Objection received by EHDC.

Local Democracy does not seem to work then, as people's views are not listened to, and RRAG members must be feeling pretty raw today. No Appeal is allowed for Outline Planning Permission.

There were about 40 people from the village in attendance, so a good turnout, with both Tony Rixon and I representing the RCA committee .

Steve Protheroe
RCA Treasurer and Nominated Attendee.
7th August 2009