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Yes, to object on line could be seen as the safe way of ensuring that correct views are accredited by DDC when putting together what Joe Public thinks about a particular proposal.
However, they can treat such submissions as they have, in the past, treated petitions - anyone can sign one way or another without having much thought at to what it is all about.
For instance, the proposed hotel and the NOT YET proposed memorial that Paul keeps banging his drum and came heavy onto Mike about.
Did he say that a similar proposal was slated by the Planning Inspectorate back in 1993 who gave reasons that still hold today - NO.
Did he say that English Heritage, for much the same reasons have rejected in the present submission - NO.
But it would be easy just to put on line, without any more thought, that one was for them.
Whether, our objection presented on line or by traditional means, there is no doubt that the CGI proposal is against the spirit of both LOCAL and NATIONAL planning legislation on many counts.
Most importantly, it is of a significant scale that it should have seen included in DDC's Local Development Framework Core Strategy (LDF) as a 'strategic site'. The Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) stresses that planning decisions should be made in accordance with the LDF/Local Plan. As neither site was identified in the LDF for development, if given permission, this will contravene statutory policies.
Sadly, DDC initially chose to negate our arguments by saying they are neutral. Luckily, as far as we are concerned, it was spotted and I have been assured by Planning Officer, Mike Dawson, that our views will be taken into account - not that the councillors who will make the final decision will take any notice.
Still, our views are on public record and, hopefully, in the right category. This will be needed at a later date, when questions are asked as to why DDC gave permission to desecrate a National Ancient Monument and ruin an AONB valley just to provide a ribbon development for people working in London and an unsympathetic hotel/conference centre that Dover didn't need.
They will be needed in the same way as I can provide hard evidence that:
- I successfully won a £20m Community Hospital for Dover;
- Dover Town Council (DTC) were slated by the Audit Commission for lack of transparency with regards to the War Memorial Project;
- I have researched and had published nearly 400 articles on Dover's history plus two books
- I was nominated but publicly DENIED, by DTC, a Civic Award for my work on the Community Hospital and Dover's History.
Lorraine