If you ever wonder why local councils like ‘Our Waverley’ are cash-strapped – look no further.
More than a fifth of all English councils are now subject to special intervention or additional support from Whitehall as financial challenges deepen.
The comment below is from a previous Government Inspector who dismissed Care Ashore and Thakeham Homes’ appeal against Waverley Borough Council’s refusal to allow 425 homes on the Springbok site off Loxwood Road, Alfold, in 2017.
The same developer’s subsequent scheme for 99 homes was refused, by Waverley and granted on appeal by a Government Inspector. It now wants to build 245 homes at market value and 105 affordable. So, there are 350 in total for a proposed development, which it is now consulting upon.
So, with the 99 they are already building, the total is 449—twenty-four more homes than the 425 the Inspector rejected at appeal 2017!
Fighting just one appeal cost Waverley ratepayers around £100,000, but this does not account for officers’ time, so the figure is actually much higher. We have no information about the costs of subsequent Thakeham appeals that Waverley defended.
Here’s what the Inspector said in 2017.
So hundreds of thousands of pounds went down the same plughole with other appeals (cost unknown) approved by various Government Inspectors.
The same developer and landowner (a Charity) are now attempting to garner local support from Alfold Residents to make utter fools out of Waverley Planners and the British Planning System by proposing another application, this time for 350 homes on precisely the same site – which adds up to even more than the original appeal.
Is it any wonder that Waverley’s Leader, Paul Follows, is now rocking up to Alfold planning meetings? Would you believe a planning committee chaired by Chris Britten, the same man who helped lead POW (Protect our Waverley)? In its efforts to stop Dunsfold Garden Village, this outfit caused a five-year delay, costing the owners and Waverley squillions of pounds. The same man now sits on the Dunsfold Garen Village Laison Committee and complains that development isn’t moving fast enough!
Perhaps residents should be asking?
Is there something rotten going on in the state of Alfold? That one may smile and smile and be a villain
Should Waverley refuse it and fight yet another appeal, sending more of our money down Alfold’s overflowing sewage-spilling drains? Perhaps they should ask those who have had their Loos overflowing and the playing fields covered in Pooh!
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Crisis developing’ with one-fifth of councils facing severe difficulties
LGC research has found that 74 councils are receiving government support or intervention
More than a fifth of all English councils are now subject to special intervention or additional support from Whitehall as financial challenges deepen, LGC research can reveal.
Senior sector figures told LGC the findings showed the problems facing councils were systemic, with persistent underfunding from central government a major contributing factor.
LGC has examined government data on the number of councils with current statutory interventions, exceptional financial support agreements and Department for Education interventions or support. Seventy-four councils have at least one of these measures in place, and more than 20 have two or more.
At the time of writing, eight councils were under direct statutory intervention from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, where government-appointed commissioners are handed sweeping powers.
Why does Central Government support Borough Councils in wealthy areas ? Is this for any specific purpose? Shouldn’t the Locals pay for the local services?
Here’s Hoping that the Villagers of Alfold – will stand up and be counted at this ridiculous Public Consultation PR exercise so Thakeham can tick the Box to say they TRIED to engage with a Village that has been inundated with Planning Applications for the last few years….That is basically all it is….. in our Tiny Church Hall (NOT THE VILLAGE HALL) with limited parking so many who cannot walk the distance cannot attend – What a Joke – You would be hard pressed to come up with a better idea as to HOW TO NOT ENGAGE with a Village.
I hear on the grapevine that M&S (at the BP Petrol Station) sales of Yummy Chocs are up so I hope that incentivises people to Attend – I for one will be there with my M&S Shopping bag to share with those that cannot make the Schlep up the Loxwood Road on foot!
GOOD LUCK THAKEHAM – We are watching YOU
Best Denise
Not GRUMPY!