Spotlight on development site at PMQs
Development of part of the Goring Gap took centre stage at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday with the government urged to overturn plans for nearly 500 homes.
The plans were opposed by more than 1,000 residents, Worthing Borough Council and MP Sir Peter Bottomley.
Sir Peter wrote to Secretary of State Michael Gove in the wake of the planning inspector’s decision, urging him to overturn the ruling.
And last week, he repeated his call at PMQs.
He said: “In addition to having concerns for Ukraine, my constituents are also concerned about planning policy.
“I wrote to the Prime Minister in October 2019 about the threat to the Goring gap.
“It is against government policy and against the public interest for every green field that is a strategic gap to be built on.
“An inspector has made a decision that would wipe away the planning powers of every local council in the country. May I ask whether the Prime Minister will see me and whether the government will revoke this inspector’s mistaken decision?”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was not present at PMQs, due to his visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Instead it was left to Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab to respond to the MP for Worthing West.
Mr Raab said: “I thank my honourable friend for that. As someone with a massive proportion of green belt in my constituency, I empathise with the frustrations that members from across the House feel with some planning decisions that are made.
“However, once a planning decision is final, it cannot be challenged unless it is successfully challenged in the courts.”
Action via the courts – as explained in the story, left – is now a consideration by Worthing Borough Council.