I have been campaigning hard against the Sutton Lib Dem-run Council's plans to put a school on the field at Sheen Way, joining forces with Independent Beddington North councillors to oppose it.
There is no doubt that the pupils and staff of the Futures Academy need and deserve a new school, but the Lib Dems' choice of Sheen Way is not the answer. We can do so much better for some of the most vulnerable children in our Borough.
Having previously made representations against these plans, residents have been waiting for months to hear from the Council when a meeting of the Planning Committee may be convened to discuss the application. I registered my objection with the Council and have met with the Council, Department for Education and others to continue to campaign against the plans.
Plans were in discussion for well over a year. In April 2019, I attended a meeting at the Cricket Club to hear more about the plans and join residents in opposing the scheme. In August 2019, residents came together in a public meeting to oppose the planning application, which closed in September.
Months have passed and the Lib Dems have apparently totally failed to make any progress with the application, with no date in sight for a meeting of the Planning Committee, an apparent failure to get access via Purley Way, and no plan to tackle any of the concerns raised by residents around noise, parking, pollution and much more.
After conversations with the Department for Education, it is my understanding that the Lib Dem-run Council has wasted these months trying to somehow make this application acceptable, but it is clear to me that residents do not believe any development of Sheen Way will ever be acceptable.
The Lib Dems could, of course, pull their support for using Sheen Way as a development site, which would help give residents peace of mind - but I do not hold out much hope that they will listen to the concerns of local people as they have failed to do so far.
Due to the Lib Dems delay, the planning application has now been called in by the Planning Inspectorate, and I am urging residents to have their say on the planning application.
What do I need to do?
The most important thing is that you register your objection and encourage others to do the same.
You can comment in one of two ways:
-
Online – Log onto https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/, using reference APP/P5870/W/20/3250891;
-
In writing – Write to The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN, using reference APP/P5870/W/20/3250891, including three copies of your letter.
According to the Planning Inspectorate website, you have until Wednesday 3rd June 2020 to have your say on the application.
Planning applications must be assessed against the local development framework (LDF), The London Plan and any other relevant development plans and policies, unless other considerations indicate otherwise.
Other things, so called material considerations, that the Planning Inspectorate CAN consider may include and you should include in your objection are:
- undue loss of privacy or overlooking,
- loss of sunlight/daylight,
- effect on trees,
- access or traffic problems,
- need for car parking,
- unacceptable or incompatible use,
- noise,
- fumes,
- excessive height or bulk of buildings,
- inappropriate design/layout,
- inadequate landscaping/means of enclosure.
I am also collecting signatures on my petition below, that I will submit along with my own comments to the Planning Inspectorate. Please do sign it, but make sure you also send in your own representation as well as per the above.
