jstockdale
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Re:South Downs Road development - 2007/08/06 09:36
Well! Surprise, surprise, the planning application for South Downs Road went through the LDC Planning Committee on 1 August. The Environment Agency raised no objection and the officers enthusiastically endorsed the plans.
Tom Crossett of Lewes Flood Action had written to Yvette Cooper, the Housing Minister asking her to give councils the power to delay approving applications to build on the flood plain pending the completion of a strategic flood risk assessment, and representations were made by local residents and ward councillor James MacCleary asking for at least a delay so the minister could reply.
Everything was done correctly and in accordance with policy. Outline permission was given on the basis of the old guidance on building on flood plains - and once given, permission for a development that is consistent with outline has to follow as night follows day. Stricter new government guidance that would have ruled this development out and the events of the last two months couldn't be taken into account. In turning their backs on commonsense and the precautionary principle, some councillors clearly felt uneasy. Two voted against. Two others and the chair, Lewes' Jim Daly didn't vote. The six who voted for it included Lewes' other representative on the Committee, Ian Eiloart - and that won't be easily forgotten.
Whilst you get the feeling that our planners are direct descendants of the builders of Atlantis, there was also an impression that the Committee won't easily be bullied into approving any significant development on the flood plain in future.
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