Tories' town centre consultation irony
The town centre's Liberal Democrat Councillors have reacted in disbelief at Tory councillor Russell Quirk's plea to residents to fully engage with the planning process on William Hunter Way when he, and his party colleagues, voted AGAINST their call to conduct a borough-wide consultation in the residents' magazine, Vision.
Cllr Karen Chilvers, Brentwood West, said:
"In December, the Liberal Democrats put forward a motion to undertake a full public consultation in Vision when the final plans for William Hunter Way were received. This application affects everyone in Brentwood, not just those closest to the site, and this would have given all Brentwood residents the chance to have their say.
"The Conservative majority, including Cllr Quirk, voted against this proposal and it is, therefore, ironic that he should now be going to the press and asking residents to fully engage. Perhaps voting FOR our motion would have been a better idea."
Cllr Ross Carter, Brentwood North, added:
"Although the proposed development is in my ward, it is quite clear that any development will impact not just on Brentwood North residents but a much wider audience than those in the immediate vicinity. This is about the future of our town.
"I would, therefore, urge everyone to look at the plans in fine detail and make their views known to the planning officers and their local councillors."
An email address - your.views@brentwood-ongarlibdems.org.uk - has been set up by the Liberal Democrat councillors for residents to email their views to them.
The Liberal Democrat motion was: "The Liberal Democrat group call upon the Borough Council to undertake a full Borough wide public consultation in the Council's Vision magazine or through such other mechanisms as appropriate when the final plans for the William Hunter Way development are submitted. This action will enable residents from across the Borough to have their say on the plans and ensure that Councillors are fully aware of their views before a final decision is made."