A war of words erupted between the leader of the council and the leader of the Conservative group at last week’s full council meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.
The feisty exchange revolved around the subject of the local plan – a document that will include a vision, objectives and strategy for development and growth throughout the borough.
Cllr Stephen Conway, the leader of the council and also responsible for the local plan, sought to address what he called mistaken views that circulated in the run-up to the recent general election.
He said: “The new administration decided to review the draft it had inherited from the previous administration.
“We sought advice from a planning barrister on the status of the draft, and how much leeway we have to alter it.
“In essence, our room for manoeuvre is limited.
“Once a site is in the draft, there is a general presumption in favour of its appearing in the final local plan.
“It has been identified by planning professionals as suitable for development, and unless circumstances materially change any attempt to withdraw a site is likely to be challenged successfully by developers at the planning inspectors’ inquiry.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the leader of the Conservative group, challenged Cllr Conway on a point of order.
She said: “It is possible, although difficult, to take sites in and out of the local plan.
Cllr Conway said he had obtained verbal advice from a planning barrister hired by the council to advise on the local plan.
“He advised that we have very little leeway to alter the draft.
He added that the draft is the point at which the key decisions are made, and which cannot, except in the most unusual circumstances, be unmade.“
Cllr Jorgensen, reading from advice she received from the council’s planning officers, said it was possible to make changes.
She said the advice told her: “Looking at a plan level, the evolution of a plan from draft proposals to proposed submission is expected, given the role of consultation is to seek views and further evidence is gathered.
“The evolution of a draft plan to the point where you are selecting an alternative strategy would likely require further consultation under Reg 18 before proceeding to Reg 19.
Cllr Conway replied, saying: “If I may respond to that as it’s clearly a direct attack on me, and a claim that I’m not telling the truth which I am.
“For the draft to be altered, as I said, unless circumstances materially change, or unless evidence comes forward that the draft plan is unsound, or is has failed to take proper account of certain circumstances, then it will continue to be the draft plan and won’t be altered, because there is a presumption in favour of its moving forward to the next stage.
Cllr Conway expressed his hope that when the council debates the local plan at September’s meeting, colleagues of all parties will contribute in a realistic and grown up way, and not promise what is undeliverable.
