Because – just in case you hadn’t heard – there will soon be an ELECTION.
Cast your minds back a couple of weeks when the highly controversial application to build shedloads of homes on the green belt at Ockford Park was considered and consented. A total of 262 “grey homes” on the former green belt.
Here at the WW, we noticed Cllr Andrew Bolton kept his head down and didn’t avail himself of the opportunity to speak. Despite being one of the ward members. Here’s what one Godalming resident thinks of Waverley Planners and developers – ASSHILL. (Godalming Central & Ockford.) Godawfulming – here we come?
Absent Andy didn’t even put in a written statement. Wonder why? Well, the answer is quite simple. Because the former member for God Central & Ockford has shifted his hairy a*** over into the Godalming Charterhouse Ward – which is why he rocked up at the Joint Planning Committee on Wednesday. Because now he is the prospective Tory candidate for Charterhouse he hoped to speak up and gain a few brownie points to relay to residents on the doorsteps? That is he can get off his HA – and get out onto the doorsteps?
Is this the same councillor who accused his Lib Dem fellow Godalming Central Cllr Paul Follows of “politicising planning!” Oh, no it cannot be – can it?
However, suffice to say – Artful Andy’s ruse failed. – The application to build two four-storey blocks of student accommodation and 77 parking places on the school’s tennis courts which was recommended by officers for approval was DEFERRED. So back to the armchair for the Artful Aarons’ Hill Dodger.
Delay is necessary as not all Natural England comments had been received and so the scheme may require an appropriate assessment. Because the site is, within 5km of the Wealden Heath Special Protection Area. Not that that normally worries Natural England or ‘Your Waverley’s planning officers!
Once approval has been given the scheme has to get the nod from the Secretary of State, whoever that is this week? But don’t worry chaps – we re sure one of the old alumni will put a word in for his Charterhouse chums!
Also, hundreds of Cllr Bolton’s prospective voting fodder have listed objections as long as your arm – and more some, so this gets kicked into the long grass until after the May elections!
We could go on, and on, ad infinitum – but we know the residents of Charterhouse will get the drift.