"They should hang their heads in shame": Leamington MP attacks council leaders...

Developer AC Lloyd was given permission to proceed with its plans at the conclusion of the appeal yesterday



Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has launched a scathing attack on Warwick District Council's leaders after a planning appeal to the Government's Planning Inspectorate went in favour of a developer which wants to build 200 new homes on land in the south of Leamington.

Mr Western has been among the many objectors against AC Lloyd' s controversial plans to build the houses on land south of Chesterton Gardens in Whitnash for several years.

The plans had been refused planning permission by Warwick District Council's planning committee twice on grounds of traffic, road safety, noise and air pollution and had many objectors against them.

Respoding to the appeal decision yesterday (Thursday August 12) Mr Western said: "This is a dark day for local democracy and for the future of South Leamington.

“I can only apologise to Sydenham residents that we were not able to prevent this unsustainable and damaging development that I have been fighting since 2015.

“The hundreds of residents who campaigned against it can be so proud of their efforts.

“But the leaders of Warwick District Council should hang their heads in shame – utter shame.

“They failed to submit evidence against the development during the appeal process despite councillors on their own planning committee twice rejecting AC Lloyd’s application.

“They abdicated their responsibility to residents, to democratic convention and to planning probity.

“Their decisions will have sent a clear signal to big developers in our region that building unaffordable homes in the wrong places comes before the wishes of the residents they purport to represent.

“Serious planning reform must take place to prevent applications like this from ever being approved again – and that will not happen with this Government in power.

“Now the fight continues to ensure the creation of a crucial second access road to alleviate residents’ concerns.”

Taxpayers in Warwick district to cover 'six figure' bill after council is told to pay costs of developer's successful planning appeal

Warwick District Council's actions in rejecting a developer's controversial planning application to build hundreds of homes on land in the south of Leamington are set to cost the authority and, subsequently, taxpayers more than £100,000.

The council's planning committee had twice gone against officers' recommendations in rejecting AC Lloyd' s applications to build an initial 200 homes on land south of Chesterton Gardens in Whitnash.

But at the conclusion of a successful appeal by the developer to have permission granted last week, planning inspector Harold Stephens said the applications should never have been stopped and that the council displayed 'unreasonable behaviour' in blocking the development.

Residents, councillors and Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western were among those who have opposed the plans for some time.

And today (Wednesday August 18) Mr Western has further expressed his anger - this time towards the cost of the council's actions in regard to application.

He said: “Warwick District Council chose not to provide evidence against proposals for the 200-home ‘East Whitnash’ development during the appeal to the government’s planning inspector – despite it being rejected twice by its own planning committee.

“In doing so the leadership disregarded its duty to residents.

“The public were against this proposal from the outset but the Conservative-led council forced it through in its Local Plan.

“It was rumoured the council was seeking to avoid the associated costs of contesting the appeal – costs that could take a significant chunk out of council coffers.

“This was clearly never going to be the case.

“The Planning Inspectorate has ruled that WDC is liable for costs after all.

“So not only has the council failed to prevent an unpopular development opposed by many hundreds of Sydenham residents, but it will also make them pay for it.

“It is an absolute insult - and rubs salt in the wounds.

“I will be asking some very serious questions about who will benefit from this development, and what discussions took place behind closed doors.”

Taxpayers in Warwick district to cover 'six figure' bill after council is told to pay costs of developer's successful planning appeal

This is why many authorities refuse to fight developments.