Major update🎉
As mentioned at the community meeting, we had taken legal advice from a senior planning lawyer who advised us that there was a potential case to suggest that an unlawful decision had been made by the VOG in June, when they came to the conclusion not to take planning enforcement action against the Aqua Park Group for not seeking planning permission for their operation at Cosmeston.
The planning lawyer issued a pre action protocol letter to the VOG on our behalf on 30/7/25. The lawyer set out in the letter all the reasons why he believes the councils decision was not lawful. In the letter the lawyer asked that the vog take a number of actions. One of those actions was a request that the matter of planning permission for this development be resubmitted to the delegated planning officer for redetermination. Although the council (to be expected) still claim they made the correct decision, they have today confirmed to our lawyer that they will be 'in order to avoid unnecessary litigation and associated costs, in light of a further enforcement complaint relating to CCTV infrastructure, and reflective of the council's commitment to monitor and review the impacts of the Aqua Park, the council is willing to agree to remit this matter to the delegated planning enforcement officer for review and reconsideration...".
This is a huge milestone step and a big win for all of us in our battle to protect the future of cosmeston.
We will continue to keep everyone up to date with developments, as and when we are able. It wouldn't be appropriate to try and second guess the outcome of the review or what the potential consequencea of that review could be but we continue to remain committed that we are in this fight for the long game - we have to protect Cosmeston now, and in the future. That's why it's so important that we continue to receive support through the crowdfunder.
In the meantime, let's take some time this evening to celebrate this🎉
Warm regards,
Vale Action Group
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-cosmeston