Cllr Michael Wincott

You might have read the story in the local paper that Labour-controlled Hasting Borough Council (HBC) is introducing local planning forums for developments of 30 or more homes and for any large scale industrial/commercial proposed development.

This is yet another Hastings Labour manifesto commitment that will now be delivered. Like the pledge to take action on the Pier or bringing empty homes back into use – it proves that we are a party of action!

Last year you might know that I campaigned for the introduction of local planning forums in The Ore Plan. People on the doorstep told me that they’d like more say on planning – it didn’t seem to matter which party they normally support – whether Labour, Lib Dem, Tory or other – more involvement in the process was seen as a good thing.

I’m confident that these forums will be good for residents, good for ward councillors, good for members of HBC’s Planning Committee and ultimately good for developers.

Good for residents

Now residents can challenge developers on wildlife concerns, play space or playground funding, on the number of trees, parking spaces, disruption and noise. They can really put the developers under pressure to address these concerns before they put in an application. And of course, there will be a public record of what is discussed and what actions were agreed to be taken.

Good for councillors

We can speak up for those residents who are not part of an organisation or residents association. More people will get their say – it will no longer be just one petitioner who gets to speak at a Planning Committee meeting for 5 minutes – but many people.

Good for members of the Planning Committee

I’m new to the Planning Committee and I do not know it all. There are times after a meeting where I’m kicking myself that I didn’t ask a particular question or get more information prior to the meeting. I go to each Planning Committee worried about the impact a development will have on wildlife, residents and businesses. But I know that I have a limited set of criteria which I have to make my decision – there might be issues that I would like to be addressed (and residents would like addressed) but cannot be used to reject an application. These forums might make it possible for residents to negotiate, debate and ultimately address these parts of a proposed development which cause concern.

Now with residents, councillors, traders and organisations getting in early I will have more information when hearing an application. Instead of asking basic questions of developers – I can now go to the next stage. Ask them follow-up questions. Finding out what has been done to address any concerns or suggestions that come out of the Planning Forum. All of us working together to hold developers to account and get better developments in our town.

Good for developers

For good developers this could be a great thing – they will be engaging with the community where they’d like to build. This is a chance to improve or build upon their reputation and show that they care. Showing that they listen and act on concerns. They will have the chance to refine their plans prior to application and learn from a community that clearly knows the area better than they will ever do. If they are a good developer – what’s not to like?

I’m really looking forward to attending one of these forums and I welcome the fact that the power to influence the shape of future housing and commercial developments will now be in the hands of the many rather than the few. The people of Ore and the people of Hastings can only benefit from this Labour initiative.