PERSHORE’S MP has called on national planning chiefs to investigate delays in approving the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).
Harriet Baldwin has written to the chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate to ask him about serious setbacks which will mean the local plan will now not be approved until next year.
The office of Roger Clews, local planning inspector, has told Mrs Baldwin he is not able to respond as he is working on the Birmingham plan so she has written to Simon Ridley, Mr Clews’ boss, to find an explanation on the extra delays.
“These extensive bureaucratic delays are unacceptable to my constituents and to our local councillors,” Mrs Baldwin said.
“The situation is compounded by the fact the local planning inspector is busy with the Birmingham plan rather than completing the task in Worcestershire.
“I have written to Simon Ridley expressing my concerns. Most important, thought, is he instructs his planning inspectors to take into account the fact our local plan is very nearly complete and this should be reflected in outstanding planning appeals.
“The local district councils have done a difficult job and have now done everything they can to bring this local plan to fruition. It is now down to Mr Clews to complete his work which I hope will happen sooner, rather than later.”
The SWDP was first approved in December 2012 but a series of delays have led to more than two years of postponements.
Another democratic vote was also passed on September 30 this year to approve additional housing sites and a further public examination of the plan is scheduled for the spring.
