Yesterday, I wrote as follows to the National Planning Casework Unit, copying the Secretary of State, asking for the RAF Daws Hill redevelopment to be called in. The letter should be self-explanatory. Neighbourhood planning is described here.
National Planning Casework Unit
5 St Philips Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham, B3 2PW12 December 2013
Dear Sir,
13/05799/FULEA – Former RAF site at Daws Hill, Daws Hill Lane, High Wycombe, HP11 1PZ
The subject planning application was approved in accordance with the officers’ recommendation by the Wycombe District Council Planning Committee on 20 November. The Decision is likely to be made within the next 2-4 weeks.
I have received representations from constituents who are extremely angry about the manner in which this application has been pursued. To my considerable surprise, these have included allegations about the conduct of planning officers towards councillors. Complaints have been made about the meeting on 20 November and the conduct of officials in the context of the Localism Act. This follows a judicial review and the apparent failure of neighbourhood planning in this case.
The area around Daws Hill is blighted by both M40 noise and a heavy burden of traffic on access roads. As someone who briefly lived in the area, I find it perfectly understandable that residents are alarmed by proposals which will increase the burdens on all kinds of infrastructure without necessary improvements. Residents went to considerable trouble in an attempt to have their voices heard and the Government’s policy led them to believe those efforts would bear fruit. They are bitterly disappointed that this has not been the case.
In my view, the circumstances around this application may have implications for national policy. I would therefore be grateful if you would call in this planning application.
Yours sincerely
Steve Baker
c.c. The Rt Hon Eric Pickles, Secretary of State, DCLG
