Travel Plan Travesty?

Sainsbury’s will submit their draft Section 106 agreement to Solihull MBC's planning committee for consideration at its meeting on Wednesday 14 March 2012.

You can see the document here  under item 17. There are over 60 pages of information. This agreement will ultimately determine the future of the centre of Dorridge - whether or not you can find a parking space near the surgery, the safety of schoolchildren walking along Station Road, the nuisance of noisy deliveries at the crack of dawn, whether or not nearby roads will be filled with overspill parking. It also contains details of some of the key architectural details and lays down the penalties for Sainsbury's should they fail to comply.
 

We think that time should be given for residents and local organisations to engage with these vital elements of Sainsbury's development and to discuss any concerns. However, despite scores of emails this week to the Council's Chief Executive, Mark Rogers, and Chief Planning Officer, Gary Palmer, Solihull MBC have indicated that there will be no consultation.

In an email to DROVS on 6.3.12, Mr Palmer tells us: "I am satisfied that this element of the application is being reported in a manner that is in line with members (sic) requirements and that, in line with the council's normal protocol in relation to the way such matters as this are reported, no further consultation on the matter is required."

We think this is arrogant, dismissive and thoroughly undemocratic. It's vital that extra time is allowed for Dorridge residents to engage with the detail of this pivotal agreement - they are the ones who will need to live alongside it for many years to come.