Press Release
Date: 30 Nov 08
For Immediate Release
Legal and General “mini-town appeal”
Abuse of process
The appeal by Legal and General against the refusal of their plan for a “mini-town” on the old TRL site is developing into a massive drain on everybody’s time and money.
The original plan was refused by the Bracknell Forest Borough Council planning committee for a number of sound reasons, not least of which is that the BFBC structure plan for the area does not include infrastructure to support close to 1,000 extra dwellings, and the numerous additional car journeys that would generate.
Legal and General have appealed against the decision and we are part way through five week appeal hearing to determine if the councils decision was appropriate.
CVAG has made representations at the hearing on behalf of members and supporters and have attended the relevant days where matters of prime interest to our village are tabled. Most recently was when the RSPB, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust supported BFBC’s case that the development would adversely affect the very precious Thames Basin Heath and its wildlife that are within metres of the TRL site.
What is irritating to the lay viewer is that, even whilst the appeal is in process, L&G is submitting a steady stream of “modifications” to their application. Witnesses who have prepared considered responses to the rejected proposal are finding that L&G is submitting modified plans, even at the last minute.
The latest modification are new road layouts in
Said CVAG spokesperson, Andy Holley, “by submitting a succession of modifications L&G is, in effect, admitting that their initial plan was flawed and that BFBC was right to reject it. This is an abuse of the appeal process, causing additional expense for all concerned. Clearly there is an opportunity to redevelop the TRL site, but this should be done with a well planned development, appropriate to the surrounding infrastructure, and minimising the adverse effects on the ecology of the area”
Issued By: Andy Holley, CVAG press Officer
Tel: 01344 777282
For immediate comment please contact
John Baster 01344 774007
Carole Doran : 01344 774367