EGAAP Overview

During the election campaign we made to a pledge to review the East Grinstead Area Action Plan if we were successful in winning control of the District Council. Although Herontye voters responded to our message, the picture was not repeated across the district and the Conservatives gained a 30 - 23 overall control of the council.

We continue to believe that the AAP is flawed and unpopular. We know that the plan is overwhelmingly opposed by local people. Therefore we will continue to call for a review and for an outcome that will have the support of people that live in this town.

Our election pledge was to base the review on the work already done by East Grinstead Town Council in creating the Community Review. The text of the review can be seen here
http://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/notices/newaap.pdf

A report produced by Dialogue as background to the Community Review highlighted a number of issues which together make a strong case for reviewing the AAP.

1. MSDC have not responded to the advice of Richard Phillips QC that the AAP is not in conformity with the WSCC Structure Plan.
2. Since point 1 is not clear, there is a good chance that the AAP with be rejected at Independent Examination.
3. Rejection of the AAP for non-conformity would create a vacuum between existing saved policies and yet to be developed Core Strategy that could leave the area vulnerable to opportunistic development, unsupported by infrastructure enhancements.
4. The relief road is contentious for a number of reasons:
It cannot be demonstrated to deliver traffic relief, a fundamental requirement.
There is doubt over it’s financial viability.
It may not even be permissible in an AONB.

Full text of Dialogue report
http://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/notices/GrinsteadReport.pdf

Further reference

MSDC website page linking to AAP and supporting documents http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/page.cfm?pageID=5720

AAP http://www.midsussex.gov.uk/Nimoi/sites/msdcpublic/resources/AAPMainRepo...

Our Pledge

We will work for a review of the AAP and for an outcome which is acceptable to local people. We argue for this in council and will make these arguments public on this website. Please check back regularly to see the latest news.

Chris Jerrey 19-05-2007