THE Save Peel Hall Campaign Group has criticised Warrington Borough Council’s online Draft Local Plan consultation process by claiming it is “not fit for purpose.”
They claim it is designed to stop public challenges and places restrictions on how residents can freely comment on the content of the current updated Proposed Submission Version Local Plan, although the council say there is a range of support available to help people complete an online form.
Campaigners say the guidance offered in the survey, which states: “If you wish to make a representation seeking a change, known as a ‘modification’, to the Plan or part of the Plan you should first set out clearly in what way you consider the plan or part of the Plan is legally non-compliant or unsound, having regard as appropriate to the soundness criteria set out above. Your representation should be supported by evidence wherever possible. It will be helpful if you also say precisely how you think the Plan should be modified,” places unnecessary constraints preventing residents from being able to freely contribute, despite council claims it is an “open and honest discussion with local people.”
Campaigner Jim Sullivan said: “This is a clear attempt to prevent challenges to the CONTENT of the draft Local Plan. Let’s not forget that we’ve been here TWICE before – with the PDO and the previous draft Local Plan. In each case WBC received thousands of responses, overwhelmingly saying ‘take Peel Hall out of the Plan.”
He added: “They didn’t listen the previous two times. This time they’re telling us we can only object on ‘legal’ grounds. This really does not sit well with us at all. It’s utter nonsense.”
The campaigners fear that, under the present consultation format, thousands of residents’ voices will remain unheard at a critical point denying them the opportunity to invoke changes to major and fundamental future development across the Borough.
Wendy Johnson-Taylor added: “This consultation is not fit for purpose. I was present at the full council meeting which voted this consultation process through. There was an uneasy feeling in the room about councillors being pushed, whipped and rushed into this voting process. I agree with those councillors who complained that they had insufficient time, only days, to digest the mountainous content of this draft and that an extension of time should have been approved.”
“This is a massive undertaking for all of us. I fear the whole consultation process is being restricted. We need to engage with this fully and freely as it’s going to affect each and every one of us. Although we are still sitting on the fence awaiting a decision about Peel Hall, as long as it’s in this mix we will continue to do everything in our power to get this site taken out of the Plan.” She added, and she implored supporters to echo the group’s endeavours throughout the consultation process.
Jim added: “We are encouraging everyone to have their say. Make your views known and don’t stand for these bulldozing tactics.”
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “As in 2019, the Local Plan consultation focuses on specific questions on whether the Plan is ‘legal’, ‘sound’ and whether the Council has fulfilled its ‘duty to cooperate’. The consultation has to be framed in this way to meet the requirements of the Planning Inspectorate. These are the issues that the independent planning inspector, appointed by the Government, will consider when assessing the Local Plan.
“People who would prefer to share their general views by email or in writing can do so. However, to meet the specific requirements of the Planning Inspector and to ensure their representation is as effective as possible, it is recommended that respondents align their feedback to the structure of the survey. That is why we’ve positioned the online form in this way.
“There is a range of support available at www.warrington.gov.uk/localplan to assist people with completing the online form. This includes information and guidance about ‘the legal requirements’, the ‘duty to cooperate’, and the ‘tests of soundness.”
The council’s representation form is also based on the ‘Model representation form’ produced by the Planning Inspectorate:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/model-representation-form-for-local-plans
2 Comments
WBC – particularly this administration, is once again being disingenuous to those it claims to represent. At times like this they seem intent on stymieing rather than serving the people of Warrington. One would hope their derided Local Plan was legally compliant and sound as a very minimum. That said, they are, or should be, aware it is quite possible to object to a legally compliant plan without querying its legality, by proposing omissions or alterations (which are also legally compliant and sound) while basing those objections on other relevant factors. The manner in which the current LP consultation is framed is wholly unacceptable almost to the extent it is undemocratic, because its format precludes the reasonable discussion of viable alternatives.
Positron – well said.