'Slow down homes plan'

A ROW has broken out over the plan to build thousands of new homes in Hailsham and its surrounding area.

It has led prominent councillors in Hailsham, Hellingly and Willingdon to dig their heels into Wealden District Council, calling it an 'unfair, undemocratic, officer-led' authority.

They have demanded that local people be given a longer chance to express their opinions about the first draft Wealden Local Plan.

However, leading members of the district council have already approved a timescale which many believe to be 'unreasonably tight' for proper public consultation.

'This seems to be a deliberate attempt by the Tory-controlled council to steamroller the proposals through with minimum opportunity for us to object or make changes,' said Cllr Andy Watkins, a LibDem.

Draft

The local plan will dictate that more than 3,000 houses must be built in South Wealden between 2004 and 2011. When its second draft is drawn up, further consultation will be allowed, but only on the new or altered policies.

Cllr Watkins added: 'The timetable the Tories have imposed may well be satisfactory for Tory councillors living in the High Weald, which will have little or no housing allocations.

'However, the timetable is placing councillors in heavily affected areas at a considerable disadvantage. This is not acceptable.'

Eight LibDem councillors from Hailsham, Hellingly and Willingdon asked that the timetable decision, which was made by the Wealden cabinet, be 'called in' for review.

But the review committee, which was formed of six Conservatives and four LibDems, refused to reconsider the decision.

'The officers at Wealden just come up with what they want and the Conservatives ratify it,' said LibDem Cllr Nick Ellwood, from Hailsham. 'This is an important plan which needs more public consultation.

'Wealden is an unfair, undemocratic, officer-led council.'

His colleague Cllr John Blake, from Hellingly, said: 'The implications of this plan will affect our area for a very long time. This timetable has been devised to get it through in the minimum possible time with the minimum possible consultation.'