27/3/2008

Local News

Rule status may help fight

RESIDENTS who wish to continue to campaign against the Pyestock development are being urged to apply for a special status prior to the expected public inquiry.
Those who gain Rule 6 status are better able to put up a strong case during a public inquiry. The Rule 6 status is so called because it relates to rule 6 in the rules regarding public inquiries.
To get the status, residents must write to the planning inspectorate.
The advantages of getting Rule 6 status is that the holder of the status would automatically get sent copies of the council’s statement of case, and would be able to cross-examine witnesses, if desired.
Campaign group SPLAT (Stop Pyestock bLot Act Today) is already in the process of applying for the status.
The drawbacks of applying for the status is that it can be time-consuming and costly. Campaigners have to produce three copies of their statement of case for the inquiry, and a copy for every statutory party.
Campaigners elsewhere in the country fighting other planning matters have estimated their printing costs alone to be £1,000.
Anyone who does not get the special status can still be an ordinary objector.
Details on how to write to the planning inspectorate will be available from Hart Council on its website www.hart.gov.uk or by telephoning 01252 622122

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star