LiBDem Councillors Score Planning Successes

10.20.06am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

Redbridge Liberal Democrats councillors recently secured a couple of successes on planning matters, the first concerning a development that had exceeded its agreed conditions, the second on preventing the demolition of some character houses and the development of yet more apartment blocks.

The Higgins Development in Woodford High Road

Councillor Richard Hoskins was passing the Higgins apartment and retail development on Woodford High Road when he noticed that construction work at the northern end of the building was one storey higher than he remembered permission had been given for. He took this up with planning officers, who confirmed the breach, and notified local residents who, already unhappy with the development and worried about the fate of the Derby Road car park, were furious. Faced with local opposition and the likely costs involved in regularising their position, Higgins agreed to remove the extra office space they had added. Whether they had hoped to get retrospective approval through "on the nod" we cannot say, but this incident serves as a reminder that LibDems expect all developers to comply with plans and conditions and that we will remain vigilant in ensuring that is the case.

6 Broomhill Walk - intact for the moment!

In recent years, with demand for housing growing and available land in short supply, houses standing on large plots have become a target for developers. Down goes the house and another apartment block appears in its place. Applications for demolition and redevelopment were recently received in respect of 6 Broomhill Walk and Bedford House in Bedford, both properties with distinctive character. LibDems made sure as many local residents as possible were notified and the reasons for opposing this type of development were made spelled out. A very large number of objections were registered in each case and the planning officers turned down the applications without the need to refer them to the Planning Committee. This, of course, may only be the first round as it is open to the developers to appeal or simply put in new plans.