Residents Group 'It’s Our City' (IOC) Calls for change in rules governing conduct of public inquiries to require the presence of the developer

The long awaited public inquiry into the Centros plan for a new shopping centre, an 800 space multi-storey car park and the demolition of many fine buildings in a conservation area kicks off in Lancaster Town Hall tomorrow, 16th June at 10am.

"It’s Our City" (IOC) will be present and has submitted detailed evidence on all the major areas that have been the subject of concern among local residents since this development was first mooted (see note 1 below). Although the Inspector has stated that IOC will not be allowed to present our evidence on the woefully inadequate public consultation exercise conducted by the developer into this scheme we will challenge this ruling when the inquiry opens. We also expect many members of the public to attend on the first day of the inquiry in order to register to speak, as this development has generated significant local controversy over the past three years.

However, IOC is deeply worried about the ability of the inquiry to do the job required of it by the Secretary of State. On 12th March this year the developer (Centros) informed the Planning Inspectorate that it would not appear at the Inquiry. This is almost unheard of in the British planning system and robs objectors and the Inspector of the opportunity to cross-examine the developer and expose the many flaws in the proposals. Instead, Lancaster City Council has elected to defend the development on behalf of the developer using tens of thousands of pounds of council tax payers' money to do so.

Dr Emilie Secker, press officer for IOC said:

"The whole point of a public inquiry is that the person or organisation responsible for the plan in the first place goes into the witness box and can be questioned in detail on things like retail impact, traffic impact and air quality. The decision of Centros not to appear has deprived us of the opportunity to hold the developer to account and this has struck a fatal blow at the public inquiry system. We are deeply disappointed that the government body responsible for overseeing public inquiries has condoned this weakening of the planning system (note 2) and we call on the Secretary of State to change the rules to require the presence of a developer at a PI"

Note 1:
IOC has submitted detailed evidence on 5 topics: retail impact, traffic and transport, air quality, tourism and consultation. We will appear in person to present the evidence and to be cross-examined

Note 2:
The Deputy Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol Ms Leonora Rozee has been asked to adjourn the Inquiry until such a time as the developer will appear and she has refused to do so. She can be contacted at:

Leonora Rozee
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, Quality and Development Plans
Room 4/09 Eagle Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square, Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN

http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk
Email: Leonora.Rozee@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0117 3728961 (GTN 1371 8961)