Kemptown MP asks government to ‘call in’ Meadow Vale planning application

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, which includes the areas of Rottingdean, Woodingdean and Ovingdean, has written to the Minister of State for Planning regarding the controversial Meadow Vale housing development.

ALONG with local residents and the Save Our Deans campaign group, the Kemptown MP has opposed the proposed plans to develop the site from their inception. He has organised a petition of local residents, spoken at public meetings and repeately lobbied the City Council.

In his letter to Brandon Lewis MP, Mr Kirby requested the Department for Communities and Local Government to ‘call in’ the application. In the event of its approval by the Planning Committee, he has requested that it be recovered by the Minister to review the Brighton and Hove City Council decision.

Simon said: “I have not taken this decision lightly, but I have genuine concerns, shared by many local residents, that the City Council are not giving due weight to the extensive local opposition to this application. People are opposed for a whole range of legitimate reasons and I have been clear that this development is completely inappropriate for this site.

“People are worried about the Council’s inaction in producing a robust City Plan which would give this valuable green space the protection that it clearly deserves. Many constituents are also worried that Brighton and Hove City Council may ignore government advice on the importance of protecting green sites and prioritising brownfield sites.

“I would like the Government (if necessary) to review the decision in light of its own desire to protect valuable urban fringe sites and green wedges that separate existing separate villages. I believe such a review, considering all the factors, would be appropriate.

The Secretary of State can take the decision-making power on a particular planning application out of the hands of the local planning authority for his own determination.  This action is known as “calling in” the application.

This can be done at any time during the planning application process, up to the point at which the local planning authority actually makes the decision.

In the event that the decision is not called in and the City Council grants the planning application, the MP has requested that the Planning Minister “recover” the application.

The Meadow Vale Planning Application [application number BH2014/02589] is due to come before the Planning Committee of Brighton and Hove City Council on Wednesday January 28.

Councillor Mary Mears, one of the ward councillors for Rottingdean Coastal, said: “I am fully supportive of this move and would like to thank Simon for taking this step to help protect this sensitive site, which plays a vital role in preserving the distinctive village feel of Rottingdean, Ovingdean and Woodingdean alike.”