Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

If I was given a £ for every time someone e-mails me or posts on SM about a piece of land being developed I’d be a rich man by now.

I am NOT saying land will not be developed and as I have explained to many, there is a web-link at Fenland District Council with all land in Fenland – where landowner(s) have expressed ‘A Wish’ to be included in what maybe a future landbank for development.

This can be found by visiting https://www.fenland.gov.uk/shelaa.

In declaring an ‘interest’ that I am currently a member of FDC’s Planning Committee,
we look at applications that the Chairman in consultation with the head of planning think need the committee to decide on rather than planning officers.

There are other ways an application can come to the committee, if the parish council object this can sometimes then come to committee.
If 6 or more residents object this will trigger the planning committee to  consider the application.
If the (FDC) ward councillor or adjacent ward councillor ‘calls in’ the application.

In planning terms there are very tight laws and regulations, so the ability of Policing, (unless they themselves flag up concerns), Hospitals, Medical, and Doctors Surgeries are not materialistic in planning decisions (unfortunately).
Highways/Yes, Education/Yes (County Council) and in some cases a contribution should planning permission be given, known as S106 towards for example play equipment.

Then what-ever Government are in power are always trying to change planning laws.
There is nothing wrong in good sustainable development, but there are many cases locally where ‘we’ have not had the planning reasons to refuse applications….

Next time donate a £ to charity…
Ghosted-£