Here is the feedback from SDC from the 7th June meeting. . It totally misrepresents the views and sentiment of 27 Parish Councillors in attendance. This is why individuals and Parishes MUST bypass SDC as the conduit for local opinion to DCLG.
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Feedback from the Leader's meeting with Parish Councils: 7th June 2016 (Sellindge, Stanford, Saltwood, Postling, Lympne)
The meeting with Parish Councils was well attended with some 30 or so local Councillors in attendance. The Chief Executive and Corporate Director, Strategic Development, gave a presentation on the proposed Expression of Interest for a Garden Town at Otterpool Park which is being considered by SDC's Cabinet on 8th June 2016. It was agreed that a summary note of the issues raised would be captured and made available for Cabinet Members to assist in their consideration of report C/16/08. The following key issues were raised:
• Many were unhappy about SDC's lack of transparency and poor communication with Parishes about the project, which has resulted in a loss of trust in the Council. They would prefer SDC to delay the process of submitting a bid to Government Garden Towns programme to allow time for PCs to consult with their communities. They are also seeking better communication in future about both the project and the planning process, including evidence and information.
• Concerns were raised about design quality, given low standards of housing design in some recent developments. Questions were asked about how SDC can prevent other landowners and developers from building poorly designed housing.
• Questions were asked about affordable housing and how that will be met.
• There was some opposition to the scale of development (with some recognising the need for some new housing).
• Concern was expressed about the potential impact on the existing villages, and whether they will be subsumed into the garden town resulting in a loss of local identity.
• Questions were asked about the potential occupiers of the new housing – there were questions raised about meeting the needs of London overspill as opposed to just local need.
• The process of the Council granting planning permission on its own land was raised, along with questions about why Otterpool Park would be different as a result of the Council's role as landowner.
• All Parish Councils asked for greater more deeper engagement as the project progresses. Clarification was sought about next steps if the Expression of Interest is unsuccessful with the response being that a further report would be presented to Cabinet.
