Planning Enquiry collapse leaves community voiceless and unprotected

There was high drama at the Welbeck Planning Enquiry earlier today, Friday November 22^nd.

Wakefield Council’s planning officer withdrew their written statement and withdrew the council’s objection to Welbeck Waste Management’s appeal.  This means that the planning aspects of the Council’s case have, in effect, collapsed. Issues of costs and conditions remain.  

Stuart Boothman, Chair of Just Transition Wakefield made the following statement:

We have had members observing the enquiry every day, because the question of Welbeck is long, complex and controversial.  We felt that we needed to bear witness to the proceedings.

We made a statement to the enquiry on the opening day.  This morning, the site operator’s Planning Consultant, Mr Hoyle, has criticised our statement to the enquiry, saying that Wakefield’s Local Plan was consistent, and that the creation of the Country Park was a council aspiration not a formal planning policy. 

Our reading of the local plan has found exactly the opposite, that the Local Plan IS contradictory on Welbeck, and we – and the wider community – believe that Newlands Country Park is firm and clear policy.

However, when our member observing the enquiry today (Friday) asked to question the Consultant, he was denied by the Planning Inspector on “procedural grounds”.

Neither Wakefield Council nor Normanton Town Council felt able to question the Consultant, which means that nobody challenged Mr Hoyle on his evidence. Just Transition Wakefield was denied a right to reply and the community has been left voiceless.

In our statement we called for four clear outcomes:

1. That there be a clear deadline to end tipping;
2. That there be a clear deadline for restoration;
3. That there be no opportunity for FURTHER extensions;
4. That the restoration be at the site operator’s expense not the council’s.

The Monday session of the Planning Enquiry is now critical to establish the conditions and costs.  The whole community is waiting to hear that we get both clarity and certainty on these key questions.

We wait to see what happens on Monday and will be seeking a meeting with the council, alongside other community representatives, once the enquiry has ended.

ENDS