Sir Oliver Heald MP and Cllrs Jeff Jones and Stan Bull met Planning Minister Brandon Lewis MP to discuss the plethora of planning applications in Buntingford. Jeff Jones set out local concerns and explained the worry in the town about lack of infrastructure and damage to the environment with these inappropriate schemes. Because the East Herts Local Plan is not yet in place, applications have been refused by East Herts Council, but then succeeded on appeal to the independent inspector, because the Local Plan is not in place and East Herts does not have a 5 years’ housing land supply.
Two appeals are currently being decided. More are in the pipeline.
The Minister pointed out that a Neighbourhood Plan could be prepared for Buntingford by the local community and that this would enable objections to be made to applications which breached it, even if there was no Local Plan for East Herts and even if the Neighbourhood Plan was not finally adopted, but was well advanced. Recently in a key case, a planning application at Coates Road, Devizes was refused on these grounds and the refusal upheld on appeal. Buntingford has started to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan, but the recent key case gives this extra urgency.
They also discussed a petition from Buntingford calling for a delay in planning permissions when Local Plans are delayed. The Minister promised to write to them about this, but thought the Neighbourhood Plan might be a better and speedier route forward to provide better local protection. He also agreed to send his published comments on the recent Select Committee Report to them.
Commenting, Sir Oliver said, “This was a positive and constructive meeting, where the Minister explained that a Neighbourhood Plan could be very helpful in stopping unwanted planning permissions. This gives great renewed impetus to those preparing Buntingford’s Neighbourhood Plan and I hope the process can be speeded up with more volunteers helping. I am sure the Town Council will also do what it can to move this forward. Any extra protection we can give the Town is very welcome.”
Cllr Jeff Jones said, “I appreciate the time given to us by the Minister and the opportunity to bring the development situation in Buntingford to his attention. I am confident that he is now aware of the many housing development applications being forced on us whilst we are vulnerable, and the advice he has given to us to “fast-track” our Neighbourhood Plan. It is imperative now, with the Minister’s advice and for the future of Buntingford, that we work with the members of the Buntingford and District Neighbourhood Plan team and push this project speedily to delivery.”
The photo shows the MP, Councillors, and the Minister.
R-L Sir Oliver Heald MP, Cllr Stan Bull, Brandon Lewis MP, Cllr Jeff Jones
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