Councillor slams decision to refuse Coventry church's ‘Garden of Hope’...

[dutchman]

The scheme was voted down



A decision to refuse a Coventry church’s plans for a public ‘Garden of Hope’ has been slammed as “bureaucracy gone crazy”.

Councillors voted on St John’s Church’s plans to turn a vacant field to the rear into a garden for all during a committee meeting on Thursday, May 27.

The scheme, behind the church on Westwood Heath Road, included space for a picnic area, a pergola, a pond, new planting and a car park.

Church representatives told councillors there had been a “significant level of support” in the local area with 40 letters urging them to approve it.

Caroline Hammond, from St John’s, said: “The pandemic has brought to light the need for safe community spaces where people can go and enjoy.

“Countryfile on the BBC this weekend showed how community gardens are becoming really important public spaces and you have the power to make this a reality here.

“This unused field can with some small adaptations become a space where wildlife can thrive and people of all backgrounds, faiths and ages can come and enjoy.”

The land was last used as an agricultural field in 2017 for horses, but has otherwise remained unused.

Ward councillor Marcus Lapsa also spoke in favour of the plans, urging the committee to apply ‘common sense’.

However the scheme had been recommended for refusal by planning officer Darren Henry as the site is safeguarded land next to Green Belt, which is identified for “wider strategic development purposes”.

Mr Henry branded the new plans as “inappropriate” and “harmful” as it “would prevent the entire area being considered together as a strategic site for future development needs for both Coventry and Warwick”.

A temporary permission was also discussed but Mr Henry said this “would still be unacceptable given the strategic purpose of the designation”.

Councillors sitting on Coventry’s planning committee agreed with officers after backing the decision to refuse by five votes to one.

But speaking at the decision, ward councillor Marcus Lapsa hit out at the verdict.

He said: “I am absolutely disgusted. Those who voted against it should hang their heads in shame.

“It is a sad state of affairs when a planning committee won’t allow a Garden of Hope.

“There were so many opportunities and arguments put forward as to why they could approve it. One of them was for it to be temporary so it could go back to reserved land.

“I cannot understand the rationale. Bureaucracy has gone crazy.

“It just needed a bit of common sense. It is not greenbelt, yes it is on the reserved list but it is a tiny parcel. We are in a pandemic and it is a space which was going to be developed in a sensitive way to allow residents to get out of the hustle and bustle, something which is good for their mental health.”