I read with interest the letter titled "Planning Woe" (Advertiser, July 7) and I appreciate Mr Craig's concern about the role of politics in planning decisions. In fact, I wholeheartedly agree that planning decisions should be made in the best interest of our community, not influenced by political affiliations.

It is indeed disappointing when political voting takes place, especially in matters as crucial as planning. However, Mr Craig may be surprised to learn that it was the Conservatives, not the Liberal Democrats, who were playing politics in this instance.

Planning is a complex issue that requires the expertise of council officers to guide the decision-making process. Their guidance is crucial to ensure due process is followed, reducing the risk of appeals or judicial reviews and therefore wasting taxpayers' money. In this case, the Conservatives voted against the advice of these experts, which risked undermining the process and confidence in our officers.

I invite Mr Craig, and indeed all residents of Test Valley, to join the Liberal Democrats in our commitment to not play politics with planning. Instead, let us focus on creating and delivering a plan that caters to the needs of our community. We welcome all suggestions and contributions towards this goal.

Thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront. Let's work together to ensure that our planning decisions are made in the best interest of our community, not political gain.

 

Cllr Rohit Kohli

Tate Close

Romsey