Hampden Fields

In my web post of 18th March, I explained that I had written to the Planning Inspector who had been appointed to determine the Hampden Fields application which is being considered as part of a co-joined inquiry alongside two other outstanding applications for development around Aylesbury. In that letter, which I have copied again below, I set out the major points of concern in detail and emphasised the strength of local opposition to the plan.

I have also written recent web posts about an application by Hallam Land for the development of 1500 homes to the North East of Watermead, which was rejected by the AVDC Planning Committee last month. Upon refusal, it had been expected that the applicants would lodge an appeal and request that the application be considered as part of the above co-joined inquiry. This would have had implications for the timings of the inquiry which would probably have been delayed as a result. So far, however, the developer has not submitted an appeal and AVDC has received no indication of their intention to do so. Therefore, the inquiry is scheduled to commence on 25^th June as planned.

AVDC officials have advised my office of a further potential complication. Hallam Land also submitted an application for 220 dwellings north of the Weedon Hill MDA. This application was refused and a subsequent appeal against the decision has been lodged. This appeal is likely to be considered by the Planning Inspectorate in the Autumn, and I have been told that it is probable that the same Inspector responsible for determining the other applications will also be appointed to determine this one. AVDC officials therefore expect that the Inspector’s final decision on Hampden Fields, and the other proposals that he is considering, will be delayed until later this year when this second inquiry has caught up to the first. The decision on all of these respective applications will effectively be merged into one consideration.

Whilst I appreciate that a potential delay in the final decision on Hampden Fields may be frustrating for many residents, it would also allow more time for the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan to come into effect.

I will continue to keep you updated with any further information that I receive.

A member of my staff will be attending the first day of the six week inquiry next Tuesday.

East of Watermead’ Planning Application

I have now written to John Byrne, Head of Planning at AVDC, to outline my views on these proposals. I hope you will agree that my letter discusses the major points of concern in detail, and emphasises the strong feeling of local opposition to the application.

 

Publication of the Vale of Aylesbury Plan Strategy – Proposed Submission

Last week I received a letter from AVDC to inform me that a six week publicity period for the proposed Vale Of Aylesbury Plan has now commenced and will be running until 5pm on Wednesday 19^th June. During this period, the public are able view the proposals in detail and submit their comments on its legal compliance and soundness, before it is submitted to Government for independent examination.

These proposals outline the emerging development plan for the entire District until 2031. Among other things, the Plan sets out strategic objectives for:

-          Housing figures

-          Economic Growth

-          Job creation

-          Environmental protection

-          Infrastructure

-          Local planning principles

To view the proposals and download the relevant publication material, please follow the link below:

http://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/local-development-plans/vale-of-aylesbury-plan/

Alternatively, you can ask request a DVD or paper copies of the publication material by calling 01296 585439 or emailing VAPconsult@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk . Comment forms can also be obtained through these channels.

I should emphasise that comments must be submitted by 19^th June at the latest. This deadline is fixed and there is no room for flexibility.

Eric Pickles – Daily Telegraph

Recently the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph entitled Trust me – I won’t let the bulldozers wreck Middle England which I thought may be of interest to constituents. To read the article please click here.

Update: East of Watermead Planning Application

Further to my webpost on 25^th March regarding the ‘East of Watermead’ Planning Application, I have received additional information which may be of interest to local residents. In my recent letter to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, I made clear my thoughts on the applicant’s decision to request an appeal just days after the plans had been submitted to AVDC. I was concerned that, by asking for this application to be determined as part of the co-joined inquiry alongside the Hampden Fields and Fleet Marston applications, the developers were taking advantage of an opportunity to bypass the proper planning processes. Residents and other interested parties had not been granted sufficient time to respond to the consultation before the request for an appeal was submitted, and many constituents had contacted me to voice their concern.

Thankfully, the National Planning Casework Unit in Department for Communities and Local Government has recognised that the applicant’s very premature request for an appeal is not appropriate in this instance. I have been informed that that AVDC has a 16 week period to determine the application which  will run to 3^rd June. If the application remains undetermined after that date, the applicants have a right to appeal on the grounds of non determination. These appeal rights are the same as those which are available to applicants in any planning case. The applicants would also have a right of appeal if the Council decides to refuse permission within the 16 week period. If an appeal is lodged, the Secretary of State would then have to reach a view on whether to co-join  that appeal with the other outstanding applications for development around Aylesbury.  

If the applicants do lodge a valid appeal under these circumstances, the Planning Inspectorate would also have to consider any implications for the timing of the Inquiry, which might need to be delayed. Now that the Government has laid an order before Parliament to revoke the regional housing targets of the South East Plan, this should allow more time for the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan to come into effect. If there are no legal challenges against the revocation of the SEP over the coming weeks, AVDC is hoping to publicise the new Local Plan and engage in public consultation on the proposals in May.

In the meantime, I would encourage anyone who has concerns about the Watermead application to write to the Council with their views.

 

East of Watermead Planning Application

Constituents may be interested to read the below letter I have recently sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government concerning the East of Watermead Planning Application which was recently submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Hampden Fields

I recently wrote to David Rose of the Planning Inspectorate who has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to determine the Hampden Fields planning application.  I have included a copy of my letter to Mr Rose below.

Hemley Hill

I recently wrote to Brandow Lewis, a Minister within the Department for Communities and Local Government, to pass on suggestions from Wycombe District Council concerning the planning system and authorised traveller sites. I have now received a reply which I have enclosed below.

Hampden Fields

I have enclosed below a copy of a letter that I have received from The Planning Inspectorate, regarding the Hampden Fields appeal and the pre-inquiry meeting that is due to take place next week, which I thought may be of interest to constituents.

Hemley Hill

I recently wrote to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government concerning the unauthorised traveller site at Hemley Hill to ask what plans he has to bring forward legislation to speed up the eviction of travellers from unauthorised sites. I have now received a reply which I have enclosed below.