The
planning decision had been clear, very popular, and democratically arrived at
by the elected members. Twice. But some time later, the unsuccessful party, driven by
self interest, chose to go against the will of the majority and
challenge the planners to get the decision overturned.
To
deal with this dissident minority, the council has to assemble a
legal team at great expense, headed by a barrister and drawing on
evidence from 'expert' professional witnesses. Likewise, the
self-interest group get themselves a QC plus a team of advisers. A
venue is hired for the hearing, which will be in public. There's
plenty to be said: this will take at least four full days, maybe
more.
But
the Bristol Post (in whose distribution area all this controversy is
happening) ignores it. No headlines about 'spitting in the face of
democracy' or 'holding Bristol to ransom'. There's no orchestrated
vilification of anyone. This time, it has nothing to do with
Sainsburys and only a very tenuous link with Rovers
Yesterday
was the first day of the appeal into BaNES' rejection of a bid to build over the green belt between Stockwood and Whitchurch village,
and it was held at the Bath City ground, Twerton Park, before a
Planning Inspector, Mike Robbins. He'll eventually report his
findings to that localisation hero and champion of the Green Belt,
Eric Pickles. Expect a final decision sometime in the spring.
At
some stage in the hearings, the Inspector will be doing a site visit.
He'll find it's been prepared for him... the usual rough grazing and
wildlife-rich hedgerows have been harshly cut back in anticipation,
so that it looks less like real countryside
The
first day saw introductions and explanations, opening statements from
the two sides, and an examination of the landscape impacts of the
proposed development. It was notable mostly for what his website
describes as “the pure theatre of his
cross-examination “ performed by the appellants' Anthony Crean
QC – a silk who's evidently in high demand, and usually from the
rich bad guys. It was uncomfortable theatre, too – he could switch
between bullying, patronising, warmth and anger almost within a
single sentence, in his efforts to confuse and break down his
witness. Not nice.
The hearings will run
from 10 till 5 or later for the rest of the week, and maybe stretch
into next week. They won't be looking at the scheme for 295 houses that originally got turned down by BaNES - this is about a revised 'concept plan' with a 'mere' 200 homes, which the developers have introduced since. It goes straight into the appeal/Pickles stage without first having being tested by local councillors.
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Lunchbreak nostalgia.... Stockwood Pete's first visit to Twerton Park
since 1952 (when Southend United lost 3-1 to City in the cup)
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[Meanwhile, Horseworld's application to build a new estate and visitor centre has been delayed while BaNES sorts out its housing allocations for the area. The Bristolian has plenty to say about that one]
