I am sad that the independent Planning Inspectorate has given planning permission for the proposed development of a school to go ahead on Sheen Way.
The Liberal Democrat-run council marked the use of Sheen Way in their Local Plan, despite concerns from residents and opposition councillors.
For years, I have been campaigning with residents to try and prevent this from happening, urging the Council to remove the site from their Local Plan and protect it as an open space, which sadly they have not done.
I made strong representations to the Council and the independent Planning Inspectorate, and encouraged residents to do the same, all of which can be seen in the files below and here:
- Sheen Way School Community Consultation | Elliot Colburn
- Sheen Way Update | Elliot Colburn
- Say 'No' to development on Sheen Way | Elliot Colburn
- Residents come together to oppose Sheen Way plans | Elliot Colburn
- Sheen Way Update | Elliot Colburn
At a meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee, whilst ultimately refused, some Liberal Democrat councillors voted to give permission for the development before it was sent to the independent Planning Inspectorate, who have agreed and given approval for the development.
I am incredibly angry that the concerns of residents, and those raised by my colleagues and I, as well as local ward councillors, about highways, noise, loss of a much-loved local green space and much more, have not been heard.
The development is subject to a number of conditions, but ultimately it has still been given permission.
The only possible appeal now is for someone to mount a legal challenge within 6 weeks.
Whilst I understand some residents may be looking at a legal challenge, as an MP I’m sadly not able to get involved in legal matters, but I will not sit back and allow this to be a blank cheque for local residents to be an afterthought.
If this development is indeed going ahead, then residents’ concerns about the noise, traffic movements, the potential for damage done to property and much more, must be championed both during and after development. I will continue to speak up in the strongest possible terms for the interests of residents surrounding the site.
I know this will be equally devastating news for nearby residents to hear, but I will continue to work with them and local ward councillors to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this.
This begins with contacting the applicants to ask for a timeline, for residents to receive regular communication through their doors with the latest information, a dedicated point of contact for residents to raise complaints, whether the issue of access can be revisited and more.
I will of course continue to keep residents updated with developments.
