Gavin Rattray has asked for the final say - for now - on controversial plans for the new Meadowbrook estate in Burscough that's being decided at this evening's Borough Council planning committee

Subject: RE: Meadowbrook planning app 124 homes recommended for approval

Dear Councillor Hodson

I note that you haven’t answered any of my questions.

When the Labour party were in opposition, you were a supporter of Burscough Action Group and pretty much in agreement with its view that WLBC was fundamentally dishonest and that Burscough was given a shocking deal because of the decisions taken by a small group of Councillors to fix the outcome of the consultation in order to stay in power - one Councillor even went on local radio saying exactly that.

Since Labour came into power your view seems to have changed and become somewhat less than supportive of Burscough residents. Burscough action group is no longer - because we lost, but Burscough flooding group formed simply to make WLBC keep its promises on flooding. We are unable to do that because neither political party will engage with the problems in Burscough.

I know that you wonder why Burscough residents don’t engage with WLBC for the next local plan. It is because they have learnt not to trust WLBC. They know a fixed consultation when it happens and know from experience that very little weight is given to the wishes and evidence of residents compared to developers. Shortly after Labour gained power I asked you to address the fundamental problems with the evidence base on which WLBC decisions were supported; believing it to be the source of the current poor local plan and the following planning decisions which are adding to Burscough’s flooding problems. You chose to do nothing and worse than that, it would appear that you are now taking views and making decisions based on that same poor evidence, so it is no wonder that we do not agree.

Regards

Gavin Rattray – Secretary Burscough Flooding Group

Originally Posted by rogerblaxall

Gavin Rattray has asked for the final say - for now - on controversial plans for the new Meadowbrook estate in Burscough that's being decided at this evening's Borough Council planning committee

Subject: RE: Meadowbrook planning app 124 homes recommended for approval

Dear Councillor Hodson

I note that you haven’t answered any of my questions.

When the Labour party were in opposition, you were a supporter of Burscough Action Group and pretty much in agreement with its view that WLBC was fundamentally dishonest and that Burscough was given a shocking deal because of the decisions taken by a small group of Councillors to fix the outcome of the consultation in order to stay in power - one Councillor even went on local radio saying exactly that.

Since Labour came into power your view seems to have changed and become somewhat less than supportive of Burscough residents. Burscough action group is no longer - because we lost, but Burscough flooding group formed simply to make WLBC keep its promises on flooding. We are unable to do that because neither political party will engage with the problems in Burscough.

I know that you wonder why Burscough residents don’t engage with WLBC for the next local plan. It is because they have learnt not to trust WLBC. They know a fixed consultation when it happens and know from experience that very little weight is given to the wishes and evidence of residents compared to developers. Shortly after Labour gained power I asked you to address the fundamental problems with the evidence base on which WLBC decisions were supported; believing it to be the source of the current poor local plan and the following planning decisions which are adding to Burscough’s flooding problems. You chose to do nothing and worse than that, it would appear that you are now taking views and making decisions based on that same poor evidence, so it is no wonder that we do not agree.

Regards

Gavin Rattray – Secretary Burscough Flooding Group

It may be worth you looking at WLBC ' register of interests ' . You may find Cllr Hodson is a landlord outside Ormskirk , but owns properties ? A possible conflict of interests ??
As portfolio holder ??