Council leader responds to MP's claims over Asda

The Leader of Herefordshire Council, Cllr Roger Phillips, has responded to the press release issued by Paul Keetch, MP, in which he asserts he can’t understand what he refers to as ‘the Asda decision’.

Responding, Cllr Phillips said: “Paul Keetch’s statements are as inaccurate as they are insulting. If he can’t understand, then I am more than willing to help him.”

Cllr Phillips points out that there is as yet no decision on the Asda application. That will be made at the Central Area Planning Sub-Committee next Monday, 1st December.

The recommendation in the report is the recommendation which has been made by the professional planning officers of the Council. It is based solely on technical planning advice.

Responding to the taunts from Paul Keetch, MP, that the recommendation had been prompted by a Tory Council, Cllr Phillips said: “If Paul Keetch would like to talk to his colleague, the former Leader of the Council, Cllr Terry James, I’m sure he will explain to him that to this stage there has been no involvement of the elected Members of the Council through planning committees.

“The application is a long outstanding one and, whatever the recommendation on the application, it cannot be determined by the Council but is highly likely to be subject to Public Local Inquiry.

"Asda is an experienced developer and if it had wanted to obtain determination of the application prior to the May 2003 elections it was in a position to do so.

“I don’t want to indulge in the silly political mud slinging which Paul Keetch has resorted to, but it’s important that I point out to your readers that the make up of the 24 member Central Area Planning Sub-Committee responsible for deciding this application is very different from the make up of the Council as a whole with only three Conservative Members serving on that Sub-Committee. Hardly the machinations of a Tory-led administration as promoted by our local MP,” added Cllr Phillips.

“I’m confident that this Planning Sub-Committee will determine the application as it ought to - in line with proper planning principles supported by proper planning argument.”

Cllr Phillips also explained the flaw in Paul Keetch’s arguments about flood defence plans: “The responsibility for flood defence lies with the Environment Agency. It is this agency which has lodged its formal objection to the application and is a material element of the recommendation for refusal. A fact which Paul Keetch conveniently overlooks.”