In a curious replica of the action of the Grand Old Duke of York the planning department tried to get their controversial demolition programme through their own planning committee for the third time last week. Just hours before the meeting they stopped their attempt citing proceedual problems.
Gateshead Council usually try and slip controversial measures through during the holidays in the hope that the citizens of Gateshead will be too busy packing their suitcases to pop into the council offices. At first they put out public notices saying response needed to be placed by 24th July. When they failed to even notify the people whose homes they wanted to demolish they extended the objections to 31st July. When they got complaints from people who were previous objectors this was extended to 6th August. Objectors were told the committee would definitely meet on the 12th August 2009 and decide whether to give permission to demolish.
Residents put their names forward to speak on demolition, put in written objections and national charity SAVE Britain's Heritage put in it's objection.
The last two planning applications to demolish homes were unlawful. This one was pretty much the same application so how the bureaucrats of the planning department thought it might sneek through is beyond belief.
So just 24 hours before the planning committee was due to meet the meeting was cancelled. Different residents have been given different excuses as to why the planning committee was cancelled. One excuse was that there were procedural problems. There were - the sending out of notices was a complete mess. Another excuse was that there were legal problems. There were - this application was the same as the previous two "unlawful" applications.
The real reason is that the tactic of trying to get a controversial matter through during the holidays failed. People noticed and objected. Now perhaps Gateshead Council will listen to residents and withdraw their controversial demolition proposals.
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