Advice for Letter to Planning Inspectorate

Planning Inspectorate Deadline: Must be received by them by March 9th

You can still comment and raise matters for consideration at the public inquiry even if you did not previously send a call-in request to GONW or an objection to the Council.

Please be sure to quote reference APP/A2335/V/09/2095002 in your letter. If you want to change a previous objection in any way, then you can. Please also give reasons why you think the whole Centros scheme is bad news for Lancaster and make it clear that you want your views to be presented to the Inspector at the Planning Inquiry. You can also say whether you want to appear at the inquiry in person. If you do wish to appear in person then please read Appearing at the Enquiry section below. If you have not objected previously then see some ideas for your letter. If you don't want to speak at the inquiry please say that you want It's Our City to represent you at the inquiry.

Your letters can be sent by email or post and must be received by Nadia Hussain who is the case officer at the Planning Inspectorate by March 9th. If You use email make sure that you include your postal address.

Nadia Hussain
Environment & Special Casework
The Planning Inspectorate
4/04 Kite Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN

email - nadia.hussain@pins.gsi.gov.uk
Tel - 0117 3728693

Appearing at the Inquiry

Please consider whether you would be willing to give your opinion in person at the inquiry. If you are unable or unwilling to appear yourself you can get someone to read your statement for you. If lots of people speak out at the inquiry, it can make a big impact on the Inspector. If you speak for yourself, you could possibly be questioned by the barrister representing Centros, but this is not as scary as it sounds and we will be arranging workshops and support on dealing with this. IOC will also be at the inquiry every day so can give you on the spot support and advice.

If you or another person representing you would like to appear in person you will most likely fall into one of 2 categories:

1. You want to give a personal opinion – e.g. your feelings about the development, about where you live, your community and the damage this will cause to quality of life, how it will affect you or someone you know, the special character of Lancaster etc. A lot of people giving a personal view on how the development will negatively affect them will give the inspector a good indicator of public feeling about the Centros plans and may carry unexpected weight. Sometimes perspectives like this can highlight negative aspects of a development which might otherwise never be considered.

2. You want to talk about a particular issue in more detail – In this case we ask you to delay your comments to the Planning Inspectorate and contact us. At the inquiry, the Planning Inspector may cut you short if you start to repeat detail which has been covered by other parties and we can help you to avoid that happening. Within the next week or so IOC should have a better idea of the ground we will cover and we can advise you better on how to couch your letter and give you more detail about the inquiry process and how you can make a difference.

Ideas for Your Letter

These are just a few ideas you can mention.

• It contradicts national and local planning policy.
• It will increase traffic congestion in Lancaster.
• The public consultation was inadequate.
• It will undermine local businesses
• It will threaten the economic viability of our existing city centre.
• It will increase rat-running in residential areas.
• It will worsen air quality in the city.
• No alternative plans have been considered by the Council.
• It will destroy historic buildings in a conservation area.
• It does not constitute a new cultural quarter for Lancaster.
• It threatens the local economies of Morecambe, Carnforth and Kendal.
• It adds no facilities that benefit local communities.