After years of dither and delay the Liberal Democrats who run Elmbridge Council in a coalition with the residents associations put forward a draft Local Plan only for their own legal advice to block it as legally indefensible.
This puts our local green belt at huge risk.
The Local Plan is a critical document that stops developers concreting over our green belt. The Lib Dems’ inability over many years to get this in place has real consequences – time and time again, developers are winning appeals on planning applications because there is no Local Plan in place. Losing these appeals cost the Council and local taxpayers a large amount in legal fees.
Cllr John Cope, leader of the Elmbridge Conservative Group said: "We all know the reason for the delay – while the Lib Dems are the largest party, the chaotic coalition of seven political parties that run Elmbridge Council can’t agree on what the Local Plan should say – some want to get the concrete mixers going, others shout ‘not in my back yard’ at literally anything.
"The Conservatives have been clear and consistent for years. We want a Local Plan that enables affordable homes in places where they are needed, while ensuring the green belt isn’t put up for sale. This is entirely possible and what well run councils elsewhere have achieved."
In the last year alone the Lib Dems and their allies have tried to close paddling pools, allowed our garden waste collection to collapse, and weakened local high streets by hiking their car park charges. Now they can’t even get a functioning planning system in place. It's just not good enough.
