The Waverley Web thought the controversy over the Red Court, Haslemere planning inquiry was at an end -surely things couldn’t get any worse – could they?
But how wrong can we be? It just did.
BTW, it ends tomorrow, 31 January – thank the Lord.
First,’ Your Waverley’ failed to notify a long list of objectors that a public session was being held on the first day of a planning appeal inquiry into Red Court Phase Two. This prompted a big Mea Culpa, and the Inspector was forced to add another session to allow everyone to have their say.
Sorry Haslemere – WWe missed this too.
The ten-day inquiry is to determine whether landowner Redwood (South West) Ltd should get planning permission for an additional 111 new homes at its Scotland Park development and a new scouts headquarters at Red Court in Scotland Lane, Haslemere.
The plan was thrown out by Waverley because of the serious harm the proposal could cause the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
We thought Waverley residents might be interested in these little
screenshots below:
Planning Inspector Mr Tom Bristow MRTPI liked a LinkedIn post by Charles Collins MRTPI, lead adviser and witness for the developer. Post photo was clearly taken in the Public Inquiry chamber, Waverley Borough Council offices in Godalming, and in text, Collins raises the issue of AONB and exceptional circumstances- the issue on which Mr Bristow is the sole adjudicator.
And there were we law-abiding citizens believing that nobody, and we mean absolutely nobody, not even Charlie is allowed to take photographs or make recordings in the Chamber! During a public inquiry. One of which includes a Proof of Evidence!
In his opening remarks at the extra online session of the Inquiry last week, Mr Bristow stressed his objectivity- also one of the key principles set out in the Planning Inspectorate code of conduct.
Not too sure how the public will perceive the Planning Inspector actively endorsing the appellant during a live inquiry, given the public already feels they haven’t had a proper chance in appeal since not one resident that objected (over 440) received notification of the appeal and many didn’t get any notice of added zoom session.
We believe it is staggering for an Inspector to endorse an appellant during the live inquiry; a quick check of the Inspector’s profile shows he only likes about five posts a month, so he is not trigger-happy; it’s the first time he has liked a live inquiry post.
Then, just when you think things cannot get any worse. Along comes Waverley’s & Guildford’s Chief Planning Officer, none other than Head Honcho Claire Upton-Brown.
You couldn’t make it up! WBC Head of Planning likes the same LinkedIn post as our Inspector.
Our flabber was truly ghasted and makes us wonder why not one resident was informed about the planning inquiry (over 440 letters of objection sent), and not even Haslemere Town Council, a statutory consultee, received a notification.
No invitations to form a community Rule 6 group were sent out to residents/community groups; the Scout lease issue continues to hang over the inquiry, with the developer using the Scout’s apparent lack of tenure in their Scout Hut as a key community benefit of the scheme to justify the development on AONB- However, apparently WBC has agreed a lease, the final details are being worked out- but WHY hasn’t WBC who rejected this planning application sorted this out to deny the developer their golden ‘gift’ to the community.
Are you wondering what we Waverley Webbers are wondering?
Whose side are these guys on?
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There appears to be a violation of the Planning Inspectorate’s code of practice. “Their Code of Conduct is based on the seven principles of public life set down by Lord Nolan when Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (as subsequently amended). It also reflects the “Franks principles” of openness, fairness and impartiality.” “The highest standards of propriety must be maintained in accordance with these principles.” But then few allow planning decisions to be tainted with fact, fairness and impartiality.
This incident undermines public confidence in NATIONAL enquires. I am totally disgusted about this blatant display of a lack of impartiality and honesty. This example questions why we members of the public are invited to submit feedback when the evidence now exists of there being one law for HMG representatives and we mere mortals .
Drummond Russell a resident of Haslemere
They should be removed from the enquiry as they fail the impartiality requirement.
I don’t have a problem with Mr Collins posting a photo, these are public meetings and there are no rules stopping him (or anyone) taking photos etc. I am slightly perturbed by the Inspector liking his post though as I agree that Inspectors should be wholly impartial as failure to be impartial undermines the public’s confidence in the entire system (which btw is limited in any case). I hope that this was only a misjudgement by the Inspector rather than something more sinister…
I fully support the development of Phase 2 of the planning application at Scotland Park. Those against are all NIMBY’s lead by the HSRA that was formerly known as “Save Scotland Lane”. The HSRA is against building over their back fences and uses the fact that the proposed development in AONB. How they can then be so hypocritical to propose and support the substitute site at the Royal Junior School. This sire is also AONB, outside the settlement boundary, further from the station and shops, requires a car for access and has no mains drainage. The HSRA has used misleading, or plain false information, in their objections. They refer to the number of objections, but many are either multiple objections or multiple objections from the same household.