A FORMER city councillor has slammed civic chiefs over its local plan process, branding it 'tragic and damaging'.
Patrick Davies made the comments as Winchester City Council's cabinet rubber stamped the next consultation stage of the development plan.
The meeting was brought forward after the government announced new housing targets, meaning the number of homes earmarked for the Winchester district per year has gone up from 676 to 1,099, an increase of 423, or 62 per cent.
The plan includes development at major sites such as Sir John Moore Barracks and Bushfield Camp, as well as smaller sites in the southern parishes and market towns.
The cabinet meeting lasted four hours on Monday, August 19.
Mr Davies, a former leader of the Labour group on the city council, was not happy about how the process had been followed so far. He said: “The risk is we are going to go out to the public (consultation) with a wholly misleading document for them to comment on. There is no proper reference to the letter you received from the new secretary of state.
"I think it's a terrible waste of time and resources to embark on this totally fictitious exercise which is what is being suggested. It's tragic and damaging to go ahead in the way now suggested. I don't think the planning inspectorate will allow this nonsense to go on. You need to reflect carefully on the proper way forward.”
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Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC, who has advised the council throughout the plan preparation period, said: “It would be wrong to say we are misleading the public. We are complying with legal and policy obligations.”
Council leader Martin Tod added: “To describe it as a wholly misleading document is complete nonsense. We face an immense challenge. It has taken three years to get to this point. The plan sets out a new vision for development in the district. Our officers have kept going as national policy has changed. I strongly believe this is the right plan for our district.”
Other topics discussed included the site for 50-60 houses at Brightlands in Sutton Scotney, which has a late inclusion, as well as the plan's provision for sporting facilities.
After the meeting, chairman Sport Winchester Andrew Eymond, said: “The city has not allocated any new land area to the provision of sport for 50+ years, even though the city has grown considerably in this time and participation across all demographics is at record levels.
“We believe all would benefit from the delivery of high quality inspirational facilities that meet community needs.”
Cllr Kelsie Learney said: “Our existing plan was agreed in 2013, it does not reflect the current times or the climate emergency. The new plan strengthens the policies on climate change which puts us in a great place to move forward quickly.”
Cllr Tod added: “There's always attention in our district on protecting the past and planning for the future. We face new challenges. We have to make sure the Winchester district is a place where people can thrive. I'd like to thank the officer team who have delivered an astonishing amount of work.”
The local plan will now go before the full council on Wednesday, August 28. Should it be approved, a six-week public consultation will start on Thursday, August 29.
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