Government Promises Tougher Approach to Developers who try to 'Wear Down'

12.00.00am GMT Mon 25th Nov 2002

The planning minister, Lord Rooker, has written to MP Vincent Cable to say that the government wants to stop developers trying to 'wear down' resistance from residents by submitting repeat applications even when identical or very similar applications have been turned down.

Vincent Cable said: "There is often a sense amongst residents that the dice is loaded against them when they are up against one of the mobile phone companies or a big property developer who can afford the costs of repeat planning applications and the legal costs of appeals".

"The Minister first wants to remind councils that they already have powers to stop repeat or similar applications within two years if an application has been rejected on appeal."

"Second the government tells me that it will widen these powers to cover cases even when there has not been an appeal".

Vincent Cable said that there were several topical controversies where residents were battling against repeat applications:

the Grange Avenue development near Twickenham Green; the telecoms mast at the Twickenham RFU ground in Hampton; and the Esso service station on Hampton Road.

"I hope the council will use the powers that it has in support of local residents and shopkeepers when they find themselves up against developers with deep pockets".