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WHO RUNS SHEPWAY COUNCIL, THE ELECTED OR THE UN-ELECTED?

Dear Ed,

Re: Spitfire Leisuredrome application for outline planning permission

At all councils there is a fundamental guiding principle that the deliberations of the ‘quaisi-judicial’ process e.g. (planning /licensing) must be kept at all times free from all outside influences and pressures. Indeed great lengths are gone to, to ensure this.

I must make it clear at this point that what I am discussing below are not the merits or otherwise of this particular application, but the principles at stake to all and every ones planning applications.

In my view, with the second hearing of this particular planning application of  Hawkinge Parish Council by the Development Control Committee this week, put there as the agenda states, `on the instructions of the Chief Executive`, after it was approved six weeks earlier, has set a dangerous precedent. What is more, the decision to ‘refuse’ this time is contrary to Shepway’s *Local Plan policy and also means there are now two decisions, the first never having been revoked.

Coupled with the involvement in this process by Shepway’s Chief Executive is also strong evidence of political interference. This is dangerous , because what it means in practice, is that anyone who has had planning approved by this committee can have their application re-heard if someone does not like it. No-one in future will know where they are.

I personally have yet to identify where in Shepway’s ever changing constitution the power exists to do this, because it must always be remembered in local government law, that if it is not written down then the power does not exist.

In my opinion their are huge grounds, firstly for an appeal by Hawkinge Parish Council to the Planning Inspectorate, and secondly to the Local Government Ombudsman for mal-administration which of course once again will end up costing us, the Shepway ratepayers, money.

It appears that once again as with four years ago, we have the issue of who runs the council, the elected, or un-elected.

Cllr Colin Tearle

*Designated for housing in the new Local Plan not recreation/leisure.