Ms Nicole Eakins

Government Office for the South East

Bridge House

1 Walnut Tree Close                                                                

Guildford

GU1 4GA

   March 2007

Dear Ms Eakins, 

REQUEST FOR SECRETARY OF STATE CALL IN RE: WEST BERKSHIRE COUNCIL: PLANNING DECISION PLANNING APPLICATION: 06/00960/FULMAJ: PROPOSED CIVIC AMENITY SITE

 I wish to object in the very strongest terms to a recent decision made by West Berkshire Council regarding the above planning application.  I object for a number of reasons:

1.            Non-conformity with the Local Plan

2.            No Environmental Assessment as required by SI 1999/293 and the relevant EU Directive

3.            The Berkshire Waste Local Plan (through the indirect effect of a connected planning application)

4.            RPG 9 as amended June 2006 (through the indirect effect of a connected planning application)

5.            The draft SE Regional Plan – Section D6: Waste and Minerals

6.            West Berkshire Council’s Standing Orders not being complied with

7.      The propriety of the West Berkshire Council waiving S106 contributions (that is public money) associated with a related proposed housing development, in return for the construction of a new Civic Amenity Site (and in the absence of testing the cost through competitive tendering or reference to the District Auditor for a valuation) that will be then transferred free of charge to West Berkshire Council.

8.     There being no consultation on this major development as required by West berks Commitment to Consultation

The arrogant and aggressive manner that this Council has adopted in assisting this developer behind closed doors whilst at the same time championing a false claim of consultation requires correction.  I most strongly request that the Secretary of Stae "Calls in" this application for detailed scrutiny.

Yours,