Kernow: Branch Seek to Clarify Public Anxieties Over Planning

This news published by the Celtic League:

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

KERNOW: BRANCH SEEK TO CLARIFY PUBLIC ANXIETIES OVER PLANNING

With developer led urbanisation of Cornwall much in the public eye in the Duchy and with increased anxieties over the sustainability of such planning and the damage it inflicts, the Kernow Branch has been actively seeking to clarify many issues.

Further to widespread public concerns across Cornwall over the content of a senior planning inspector’s preliminary report, the Kernow Branch of the Celtic League wrote to the Planning Inspectorate’s Quality Assurance Unit requesting clarification on certain issues.

The initial letter together with a response is reproduced hereunder:

“The Planning Inspectorate
Quality Assurance Unit
Room 1/23 Hawk Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN

15 June, 2015

Dear Sirs and Mesdames

Re. Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies - Examinination; Preliminary Findings following the hearing in May 2015; Inspector - Simon Emerson BSc DipTP MRTPI

Link to report: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/12843214/ID05-Preliminary-Findings-Jun...

I refer to the Preliminary Findings Report detailed above.

I note that there is reference to the gypsy and traveller minority groups which is to be commended.

However, I am not alone in my surprise that there is no written reference made by Mr Emerson that he has considered the impact on the Cornish National Minority following their inclusion into the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by H.M. Government some 14 months ago.

I have been given to understand that representations were made at the hearing from Bewnans Kernow and Mr Ian Saltern on behalf of Councillor Bert Biscoe.

As one of the many who were directly involved with the inclusion of the Cornish National Minority into FCPNM, I know that there are several articles which should be considered in matters such as the Cornwall Local Plan and which should have a direct bearing on the Inspector’s report.

That there is no mention of the Cornish in the report is unsatisfactory and less than transparent and has caused enormous upset to many people.

Further, I refer to the final paragraph which reads as follows:

8. Council’s Response

8.1 As explained in the introduction, the Council should consider how it wishes the Examination to proceed in the light of these findings. It would be helpful to have a response by Friday 26 June. Comments on this note from other parties are not invited and will not be accepted.

This statement is very unhelpful and has been widely perceived as being arrogant in the extreme.

Whether Mr Emerson cares for the Cornish or not, we are now subject to the very valuable protections offered by the FCPNM and his examination, findings and report should reflect that fact even if this is only a preliminary paper.

I ask that this matter be looked into please.

Yours faithfully

Michael J Chappell
Convener
Cornwall Branch Celtic League”

The response received from the The Planning Inspectorate Quality Assurance Unit is as follows:

“Dear Mr Chappell

Thank you for your letter. I note your concerns about the matter you have raised. I am sorry you have been put to the trouble of contacting us about them and I thank you for bringing them to bear.

The issues concerning the Local Plan and the Cornish Minority were discussed at a hearing on Monday 18 May.

They are not referred to in the Preliminary Findings (dated 5 June) because, as that note explains (1.1), their purpose is to advise the Council about what matters the plan falls short on and on what further work is required; paragraph 1.5 seeks to make it clear that other matters are not covered because this stage of the examination is not one at which other parties may comment.

If the Inspector were to consider that further work was required by the Council on matters relating to the Cornish Minority, he would comment as such in the final report on the plan.

Again, thank you for your email and I hope I have provided some clarification.

Yours sincerely

Ian Kane
Customer Quality”

Related CL News items:

https://www.celticleague.net/news/case-for-cornwall-discontent/

https://www.celticleague.net/news/selling-cornwall-for-queens-pound/

https://www.celticleague.net/news/kernow-branch-anger-over-development-n...

kernow@...

#celticleague

J B Moffatt (Mr)

Director of Information
Celtic League

25/06/15

(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.)

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

The Celtic League was established in 1961and has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

#celticleague