'Public need more say over housing' (From Basingstoke Gazette)

'Public need more say over housing'

5:00pm Monday 8th March 2010 in

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PEOPLE are to be given a further say on which sites should be earmarked for housing developments in Basingstoke and Deane.

Conservationists, residents’ groups and parish councils are angry about a lack of involvement in drawing up proposals on where a total of 18,900 homes should be built by 2026.

Now, the borough’s planning and infrastructure committee has thrashed out a programme of further consultations on possible sites for the house-building required by the Government.

This involves more drafts of the key blueprint – the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) – including two exhibitions.

Starting in May, the overhauled process will create the final document by October.

Summing up, Brookvale and Kings Furlong councillor John Shaw said: “Community associations, parish councils and local resident groups should be given an opportunity in a public forum to put their views on the process.”

The nine-strong committee also voted to exclude flood plains near Old Basing and public open spaces from development after hearing pleas from activists.

Clive Pinder, of the Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE), opposing proposals for 10,000 homes adjoining Old Basing, Chineham and Newnham, said: “If adopted, the plan would open up the possibility of destroying an area, world-renowned for its unique environment and major historical landmarks.” Alan Read, chairman of environmental group, Country Watch, expressed similar concerns.

Overton parish councillor David Llewellyn also said if the 830 homes were built in his village, as proposed in the SHLAA, it would be ruined.

He explained: “The community aspects of what makes Overton a great place to live would |disappear.”

The thorny question of who takes responsibility for the final sign-off of the SHLAA before it is submitted to Government was also debated.

Currently, Nicky Linihan, head of planning and transport at Basingstoke and Deane, decides which areas are technically suitable for inclusion in the SHLAA.

But councillors queried whether it should be an elected member, such as Cllr Rob Golding, Cabinet member for planning or infrastructure. Cllr Paul Harvey argued that leaving the decision with a non-elected council officer created a “democratic deficit”.

However, Cllr Golding warned that handing him control could be deemed to be politicising the process and leave it open to legal challenge by developers.

He said: “The planning inspectorate could say our plans are unsound.”