Spelthorne Council hosted the much awaited public meeting last Tuesday (see article of 19th January) to clarify its position with regard to any potential development on Green Belt land at Kempton Park Race Course.
The meeting, held at the Hazelwood Centre in Green Street, and chaired by Spelthorne Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, was called after residents expressed concern that the Jockey Club might be planning to develop homes on Kempton Park. Around 200 residents attended and many submitted questions in advance of the meeting.
Cllr Robert Watts, Leader at Spelthorne Council, started the meeting with a statement outlining the Council’s strong commitment to protecting the Green Belt. “We can’t stop developers putting planning applications in,” he said. “But we can be clear about how we will deal with them if they do.” “We have a very clear Green Belt policy and it is backed up by an equally clear government policy.”
The Head of Planning Services, John Brooks, whilst also ruling out the prospect of developing on designated Green Belt, then gave a presentation on the planning context, an overview of what Green Belt means and planning for future needs and associated issues.
Pre-submitted questions about Kempton Park were then addressed and supplementary questions taken.
The panel included planning staff from Spelthorne Council, local councillors, Chair of the Planning Committee and the Cabinet Member for Planning. MP Kwasi Kwarteng also attended and answered questions relating to Sunbury Health Centre during the latter part of the meeting where broader local issues were discussed.
The Campaign Group, Keep Kempton Green (KKG) has also commented on the meeting and its report may be viewed by clicking here: keepkemptongreen.com/2015/02/04/the-new-friend-of- a-friend/
