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Why planning law can be extremely frustrating
• I CAN'T let Cllr Don Williams crass, provocative and grossly disingenuous comments pass without a robust rebuttal (Gloves are off in by-election battle, September 18).
It is unfair to the Liberal Democrats but more significantly, to the current development control committee, on which I am proud to have served since being elected two and a half years ago.
Cllr Williams is quoted saying the Lib Dems and our controlling role in the coalition supported the Tesco application in Belsize Road – simply not so.
The committee, unlike that under Labour, is determinedly non-political and under the admirable chairing skill of Tory Councillor Roger Freeman (and his deputy Councillor David Abrahams).
The Tesco application generated enormous local interest and was evaluated in considerable detail. In particular, Lib Dem’s deputy leader Councillor Janet Grauberg (from the neighbouring ward) spoke eloquently and at great length against the Tesco application.
I asked our legal officer whether there was any prospect of Tesco not winning an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate should we decide to turn down Tesco’s application.
As a result of that advice, given in public, I felt obliged reluctantly to give my vote to approve Tesco. Unfortunately, the application did not require any change of use, which would have given the 16 councillors much greater margin. Cllr Williams was there and he certainly knows this.
Cllr Williams is making mischief and I deplore that it damages perception of Camden’s planning process, which all councillors on committee try very hard to make responsive to the community.
But readers must understand that we are legally obliged to operate within the very strict framework of planning law, which can be extremely frustrating for us, as in this case. Shame on you, Cllr Williams.
CLLR PAUL BRAITHWAITE
Lib Dem, Cantelowes ward
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