Tory failings mean developers win

I am writing concerning your column entitled ‘Cash reserves available to fight appeals’ (September 21).

The reason the Conservative-run council has to use the entire planning reserve fund to fight appeals is because for years it has failed to adequately provide a five-year housing land supply for the borough. It has nothing to do with delays in the Local Plan.

The Conservative government has said we need to build homes, the Conservative council has not identified enough land to build homes and so when a developer arrives with a proposal, the Planning Inspector will more than likely find in favour of the developer so the housing need is met.

This was demonstrated clearly with the recent appeal against the council for the development in Smarden.

The Smarden appeal cited the failure to provide land for development as a core reason for supporting the developer.

I have the greatest respect for Cllr Shorter but this is not a bold defence of the interests of residents but a disguise to cover the Tories’ own failure to meet the land supply need.

It is using public money as cannon fodder given the likelihood of the council winning the appeals is not very great due to its own failure to identify enough land. Cllr Brendan Chilton, Ashford Labour group leader