Mims' Statement Ahead of the Eastleigh Borough Council Planning Meeting 11.12.17:
“While I welcome that Eastleigh Borough Council are finally progressing their long-awaited Local Plan, I can’t help but reflect on the direct impact that the constant delays throughout this process have had on our local area, its infrastructure, and therefore upon the lives of my constituents.”
“Instead of benefitting from a clearly set-out plan which sets out where development can, and cannot take place, based upon the views of local residents, we instead have witnessed the onslaught of approval of speculative applications time and time again under the current administration at Eastleigh Borough Council.”
“Unfortunately, too many aspects of this draft delayed Local Plan raise more questions than answers, in particular why the Liberal Democrat administration at Eastleigh Borough Council continue to push forward options within it that have raised so many concerns relating to congestion, the local environment and ultimately its impact upon the lives of local residents.”
“My constituents will know that I am a strong advocate for Local Plans, and the important role that they carry out in bringing an end to piecemeal development while supporting funding bids for infrastructure such as the Chickenhall Link Road. It is with this in mind that I have, on behalf of my constituents, continually called upon Eastleigh Borough Council to put together a Local Plan that has the support of local residents across the entire Borough of Eastleigh.”
“It has now become clear that even this administrations own Councillors are resigning and rebelling ahead of this crucial meeting on Monday, which puts real doubt over whether this much needed Local Plan can come together.”
“The Secretary of State has already warned Eastleigh Borough Council that the Department for Communities and Local Government is expecting significant progress to be made. If this is not the case, and as per the legislation, his Department will step-in come the new year, and it is absolutely right that the Government holds councils to account where they are failing.”
“Unfortunately, the draft Local Plan due to be presented on Monday evening simply represents yet another failure to do that. At best it is a failure to listen to residents, at worst an arrogance to move forward regardless of their concerns.”
“Due to Government business I am unable to attend Monday evening’s meeting, similarly George Hollingbery and Steve Brine as other locally affected MPs, however I will be represented, and will ensure that the many concerns that have been raised by my constituents are rightly heard.”