Bedworth and Nuneaton’s voices in Parliament have criticised the Borough Council following further delays over the Borough Plan. Craig Tracey MP and Marcus Jones MP expressed ‘disappointment and concern’ over the news.
The Borough Plan determines local planning and housing over the next decade and has seen some controversial proposals for house builds in our area.
Craig Tracey commented:
“It appears as though the Borough Plan has been delayed again – I am starting to lose count over the amount of times it has been over the last few years. The Council have said that the residents’ consultation response will not take place until after the local elections due to ‘purdah’. I can only assume this is politically motivated by the ruling Labour Group. They are using an external company - paid for by local taxpayers - to go through every response they have received from the consultation. This work started way back in mid-December. Residents in Bedworth are sick of the uncertainty surrounding this Borough Plan.
“I have had to hold my own information event for local people in Bedworth so that they could engage with the process as residents believed they were not being given a fair say.
“This is very disappointing. It looks as though Labour are worried about losing seats in the upcoming Council elections over their housing plans and so want to wait until it is over to respond to residents. Actions groups are protesting over their proposals across Bedworth.”
Marcus Jones MP for Nuneaton said:
"This looks very much like 'deja vu' from Labour who are again putting political self-interest before local people.
“This is now third set of local elections where they have cynically brought the Borough Plan process to a halt.
“Local people are running out of patience, they want a fair and equitable Borough Plan with planning for roads, school and GPs places, I am sure the frustration with the political game playing of the Labour Party will be reflected in a backlash at the ballot box."