Thu 21st May 2009

The proposal to convert the old hospital site to a 600+ student block in a prime site in the town centre came before the first planning committee after the election of Cllr. Walker. He opposed the proposal, then presented the case against the plans at the subsequent planning appeal. Speaking to our web editor, he said "I and presented a 6 page detailed examination of the issue and the reasons for rejecting the proposal. I was again on the planning committee when Domain renewed their application and was surprised that they had made so little changes to the plans which had been rejected by the planning committee and that decision had been confirmed by the Inspector.

"I was not convinced by the case put by Domaine and again voted against it. The Conservatives referred the decision to the Regulatory Committee hoping to avoid the danger of a successful appeal with costs against the Council. I was on the Regulatory Committee and officers suggested that I should withdraw from the Committee because I had voted against the proposal in the past. This was nonsense, as it was supposed to be a new, and different proposal. It turned out that the proposal was little changed and again it was rejected, and again the decision was confirmed by the Inspector.

"I remain on the Planning Committee and will continue to speak up for good planning practice in Charnwood. However the Conservative Councillor who also spoke against and gave a presentation at the appeal did resign from the planning committee, and gave her decision great publicity. It is difficult to see what merit there is in resigning from a major and important committee.

"We now wait for Domaine to come forward with a radically different and better plan, or to sell the site so that it can be developed for the benefit of Charnwood. Officers are pressing for this."





Published on behalf of Loughborough Liberal Democrats by Grantley Lycett, 34 Queen Street, Shepshed, Leicestershire. LE12 9RZ and web pages hosted by Virginmedia.com The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.