Basildon Council bosses no longer sure 16,000 homes needed.
Basildon Council now questioning their own supposedly “robust” figure.
Basildon Council now questioning their own supposedly “robust” figure.
At Basildon Borough Council’s meeting (BBC) on Feb 17th Cllr Dr. Richard Moore announced that the OAN is going to be reviewed to take into account more up to date information. His comments were backed up by Cllr Phil Turner (BBC Leader) who also appeared to question whether the need for 16,000 homes was correct.
Hang on...
They’re now saying the OAN might not be correct? The OAN they have repeatedly said was “robust”? The OAN that is a foundation stone of the Local Plan?
Where did they get the idea that the OAN number was no longer “robust”? What triggered this change of heart?
This is the number that BAG’s White Paper challenged as “excessive”; the White Paper which the Cllr Moore has said was “a useful contribution to the debate”. This is the White Paper that Basildon have refused point blank to consider.
Cllr Turner stated that a new Council official has been tasked with challenging the numbers; numbers that consultants, the BBC Planning Department and Councillors had signed off!
Confused? So are we.
Cllr Turner is quoted in the Echo as saying “I live in hope that it is going to be a game changer”.
Better late than never, but can we suggest he starts by reading our White Paper ? It’s free of charge (unlike a second round of consultants).
We welcome this apparent change of heart - and we “live in hope” that this time they’ll conclude that a lower figure is sensible, sustainable and acceptable both to the Planning Inspectorate and residents.
Hang on...
They’re now saying the OAN might not be correct? The OAN they have repeatedly said was “robust”? The OAN that is a foundation stone of the Local Plan?
Where did they get the idea that the OAN number was no longer “robust”? What triggered this change of heart?
This is the number that BAG’s White Paper challenged as “excessive”; the White Paper which the Cllr Moore has said was “a useful contribution to the debate”. This is the White Paper that Basildon have refused point blank to consider.
Cllr Turner stated that a new Council official has been tasked with challenging the numbers; numbers that consultants, the BBC Planning Department and Councillors had signed off!
Confused? So are we.
Cllr Turner is quoted in the Echo as saying “I live in hope that it is going to be a game changer”.
Better late than never, but can we suggest he starts by reading our White Paper ? It’s free of charge (unlike a second round of consultants).
We welcome this apparent change of heart - and we “live in hope” that this time they’ll conclude that a lower figure is sensible, sustainable and acceptable both to the Planning Inspectorate and residents.
