More time needed for consultation (From Basingstoke Gazette)

More time needed for consultation

10:46am Friday 18th June 2010 in News

Sir.–I am concerned regarding the lead in time and deadline for comments regarding the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) housing development consultation. I do not feel sufficient time is being allowed for the public to be fully informed.

I feel the methodology being adopted by the council to allow reasonable engagement and consultation is inadequate, and given the seriousness and scale of the draft proposals across the borough, the council, I feel, is failing to meet minimum consultation requirements.

Can I suggest a more effective consultation would be at council ward level in the areas that are proposed for development, and a targeted leaflet publicity campaign in each ward to each household, local community organisation and business?

Basingstoke and Deane Council state in their assessment questionnaire page four: “The SHLAA forms a key component of our evidence base and will be used to progress our core strategy. This will set out our overall vision for the borough up to 2026.”

Consultation on the draft strategic housing land assessment (SHLAA) for Basingstoke closes on June 21, followed by a final draft published SHLAA in August. I do not think the council’s draft consultation process and methodology to date contributes sufficiently enough in collecting evidence to progress and meet their ‘core strategy vision’ .

I feel we need to go back to the drawing board and consult properly on such an important social and environmental issue.

–Steven Pugh, Loveridge Close, Basingstoke.