Dear Mr Webb

Thank you for your email.

As I have previously explained the Development Control Committee is not part of the Executive and makes decisions based on national and local planning guidance.

The Wolverton Works application has been to DCC on a number of occasions and been approved, the Secretary of State has refused to call-in the application on grounds of “national significance,” twice (once pre-decision and once post decision) and a Court of Law has ruled that the decision was made correctly.

Even if I was minded to intervene then it would be wrong and improper for me to do so, as due process has been followed and reviewed, and as Cllr Bint highlighted, those making the decisions did so in good faith.

Any landowner is able to submit a planning application for their land as they see fit. There are laws, policies and procedures on which to judge such applications and it is very clear that the decision reached by MK Council is appropriate. Such as decision is not an arbiter of taste, style or support, but a discharge of a function.

I have been very clear previously that I am both sympathetic to the historic nature of the site but also that it is also a continued place of work, and those things must be balanced. I will continue to work with the landowner to try and improve the scheme, but as landowner they are able to submit for approval any scheme they see fit and the final decision will rest with DCC.

I believe your views on decision, while no doubt strongly held, are misplaced and the manner in which you express them rude and needlessly aggressive.


Kind Regards

Cllr Peter Marland
Leader
Milton Keynes Council