Statement on Sondes Farm development

Statement from Dorking and Horley Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Chris Coghlan and Mole Valley District Council Leader Stephen Cooksey on Sondes Place Farm Development

Yet another broken promise from this Conservative government

Dorking and Horley Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Chris Coghlan and Mole Valley District Council Leader Stephen Cooksey are extremely disappointed by the Conservative Government’s Planning Inspector decision to overturn Mole Valley District Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for 144 dwellings on greenbelt at Sondes Place Farm.

Chris Coghlan said:

“We desperately need more affordable homes and supporting infrastructure, but we also need to protect our greenbelt which is so important to our residents. The Liberal Democrat council is delivering more affordable homes and protecting our greenbelt. Under the emerging Liberal Democrat local plan 40% of all new housing developments will have to be affordable. Michael Gove promised to change the National Policy Planning Framework to allow Planning authorities the freedom not to develop Green Belt sites, yet this has not happened. That is why it is so disappointing that Conservative government appointed Planning Inspector has overridden the wishes of the local planning authority and residents. This is yet another broken promise from this Conservative government.”

Stephen Cooksey said:

“This whole situation is the result of Conservative Government policy – Green Belt sites were included in the draft Local Plan to meet Government requirements and their proposed exclusion was to take advantage of promised action that hasn’t so far been forthcoming. They can prevent any further Green Belt developments by changing the planning rules as they promised but until they act on that promise Green Belt sites are in danger.”