Planning continues to occupy much of our time. The previous consultation resulted in many objections and the implementation of a further round of consultations. This of course pushes back the date for decisions, the publication of the revised plan (so we have no sight of what is now going to be proposed) and the dates for consultation and decision making expected to be two years away. This leaves an opening for developers as no local plan will exist for some time.
Elmbridge Council has manged to produce a plan that does not involve green belt. Is this a model; for what is needed elsewhere? https://www.theplanner.co.uk/opinion/a-sustainable-future-for-elmbridge .
Much lobbying and questioning is taking place behind the scenes and through the Three Rivers Joint Residents’ Association (TRJRA) – where we are actively monitoring developments. The TRJRA has produced a leaflet which has been distributed Three Rivers wide as part of an attempt to get everyone to consider the overall position, rather than local partisan ones. Some elements of their leaflet are shown in the boxes below.
We want to see a plan based on:
- A locally relevant calculation of housing need providing affordable homes for our residents.
- A sustainable plan for infrastructure and protection of Green Belt.
- A brownfield first planning strategy with windfall sites placed before Green Belt sites.
- A vision for Three Rivers that is shared and agreed by the majority of local residents.
TRJRA have had a recent meeting with both of our local MPs and the Housing Minister where support for the concerns of the TRJRA was recognised.
Did they listen?
It is Government Policy to protect and enhance the Green Belt
- Yes, the Minister confirmed the housing figure can be adjusted by a Local Authority if it has land constraints such as Green Belt. (76% of Three Rivers is Green Belt).
- Yes, the Minister clearly has a strong belief in Localism, the power of Neighbourhood Planning and the need to involve local communities in decision making. He understands concerns about damage to Green Belt and the pressure caused by the current housing targets.
- The Minister is working on a new Planning Bill (which could surface in May).
- We posed 4 key questions which our local MPs will follow up with the Minister – including asking questions in Parliament – the responses to which will then be formally documented.
What else are we doing?
We are pressing our elected District councillors across TRDC to work together, cross party, to fight the housing target. In the past few weeks we’ve met with all the local political Parties. This work is progressing.
