Ensure public hearing can be fully heard

Last week’s Advertiser, in covering the appeal hearing of Spencer’s Farm 330 home application, reported that the King’s Council (KC) for the appellant (Spencer’s Farm), stated that my evidence on traffic gridlock in Cookham was ‘speculative’.

However, later in the week, the inspector allowed me, as a resident, sat at the council’s legal bench, to question the transport expert of the appellant.

I cited direct evidence from the Spencer’s Farm and the Cannondown Road (200 home) transport assessments.

Between them, they show a staggering 731 per cent increase in delays in Cookham village, state that certain junctions will be ‘over capacity’ and that 16 per cent of all traffic from the Bourne End, Hollands Farm site will travel through the village and Rise, all sufficient for my claim of ‘severe’ impact.

I explained, from the data, how junctions saturate with a small amount of additional traffic.

The expert, when questioned, was ‘surprised’ at the impact on road junctions even close to Spencer’s Farm.

The appellant’s KC declined the opportunity to challenge my evidence or questions.

My vindication isn’t the point of this letter.

This ‘moment in court’, a public hearing, had no other representative from Cookham present, and it was held in Cookham.

Did that demonstrate community concern over village gridlock?

Soon enough the local plan Cannondown Road development will be before panel, it’s impact on Cookham being greater than that of Spencer’s Farm.

Even if rejected, the drama of another appeal hearing will unfold.

This is not about whether you support mass housing development (even though the 2018 Objectively Assessed Need does not), it’s about road infrastructure.

The Cookham Bridge opens this week, enjoy travelling through Cookham again, the reports say by 2028 you’ll be in daily traffic stand still and there are wider borough implications.

Public hearings are the place to voice and listen to opinions and facts, holding people to account.

I believe we should use them.

The appeal continues on Friday.

PAUL STRZELECKI Berries Road

Cookham