New Waverley Leader silent on Tory East Street policy (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

New Waverley Leader silent on Tory East Street policy

May 23, 2007 2:37 PM

Local Liberal Democrats quizzed the new Tory Leader of Waverley Council, Cllr Richard Gates, on the new administration's stance to East Street at last night's Executive meeting.

In one of his first appointments as the new Leader, Cllr Gates was due to meet the developers Crest Nicholson on Monday. During the recent local elections the Conservatives circulated leaflets saying their candidates in Farnham were opposed to the current scheme. Cllr Gates was therefore asked if he had told the developers his administration was opposed to their current application.

In his reply Cllr Gates evaded answering the question, merely confirming he had met Crest Nicholson and there had been a general discussion of the plans.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Wanda Jarnecki said, "It's disappointing that the new Conservative administration appears to have failed to clearly state their opposition to the current East Street application at the first opportunity they had. As a result of their election campaign people in Farnham clearly believed the Tories opposed the current planning application, and voted accordingly. This should have been one of the first things the new administration told the developers."

"Instead the Tories already seem to be wavering on their East Street promises. Waverley's Leader must now explain to the people of Farnham where he and his administration stand on East Street. If he is unable to do so then what trust can Farnham residents have that the Conservatives will deliver on any of their election promises about this development."