‘We need to think about the future’

Cllr Lesley Whybrow (Green) said much is “uncertain” about the scheme and its future.

“We can’t get away from the fact we need to build houses and that we need more council houses,” she said.

“But £100m is an eye-watering amount of debt.”

She added that while the proposed development will bring profit to FHDC, it doesn’t come “without risk”.

But other councillors showed their support for the scheme.

Cllr David Wimble ( Ind) described Otterpool as a “really exciting project” and said the £100m loan would be used to start putting infrastructure in place, such as new roads, feasibility studies, waste water treatment works, and a new public park surrounding Westenhanger Castle.

He said: “This council has to deliver 738 new homes a year over 18 years, if we don’t we lose control over our planning department. To meet these requirements it is not better to have one scheme?”

After listening to the debate, Cllr David Monk (Con), leader of FHDC, said he was “flabbergasted” at the “negatively he was hearing” from some councillors.

He said: “This will go ahead if we do it or we don’t. If we don’t, the government will take over.”

In reference to the “uncertainty” about the proposals, he said: “We are the planning authority, if something comes along and we don’t like it we won’t approve it.

“Part of your job is to be a community leader. Think of the future.”

Following the vote, Cllr Monk led an applause.

A second recommendation, which was also approved, noted that decisions on spending the money will be given to an appointed “decision maker”, although in cases in excess of £100,000 the decision will be subject to the approval of the majority of the Otterpool Park Working Group.