Somehow this post did not get from the email to the website, so I am editing to include the whole script.
| [Unless something unexpected happens! The Parties are able to make further submissions by 17 January 2025 on the revised National Planning Policy Framework (published on 12 December 20240 and on the Richmond Housing Land Supply Report which will be uploaded to the Inquiry website. It is not thought that this should delay the Inspector’s Judgment being published in March 2025.] The Stag Brewery Public Inquiry finished some time after 8pm on Thursday 12th December 2024 on the fifteenth day. Plaudits go to the Inspector Glen Rollings, who seemed to be announcing his retirement as an Inspector. His demeanour throughout was exceptional, even at the end of some long sessions, and ensured a well managed hearing. His Programme Manager Joanna Vincent showed equal equanimity. As Peter Eaton said: “I also endorse several thanks to Mrs Vincent for incredibly efficient and speedy organisation of all the information on the core documentation which has been really amazing since the April CDC six months ago.” The two stars of the show from a local viewpoint were Peter Eaton, Chair of the Mortlake Brewery Community Group, ably assisted by Nick Grant of Counsel, and Cllr Niki Crookdake, Green Party Member for Mortlake and Barnes Common. Niki’s contribution was immense, and of course informed by having access to Council documents. She combined an ability to master the voluminous varied and detailed documentation, responding to demanding questions and with skill in asking her own questions, not easy for a non-lawyer in a judicial jurisdiction. I have to add a personal note having attended most of fourteen days of the fifteen it lasted. One can recognise the Council’s position; they need money; and a glossy new school paid for by central government would be nice. There is a political compulsion for the full time employees as witnesses doing their best to achieve the objectives set by their political masters. One might have less sympathy for the hired hands, on whom large amounts of our council tax have no doubt been spent to create an urban environment, while at the same time ignoring all the attendant problems. And as noted previously concern about the apparent lack of local political interest in the hearing is rife. Perhaps they did not feel they could challenge the Leaders. Political solidarity should only go so far. Far less sympathy can be accorded to the developers. To their credit their representatives also assiduously attended almost the whole hearing, though even they gave up towards the end of their Counsel’s five hour closing submission. But bar one brief exception they avoided any attempt to engage with the local community, whom they seem to regard solely as Twickenham. They gave short shrift to the many problems highlighted by MBCG witnesses. Belittling any opposition is a technique. Maybe that is what happens when profit is the main motive. This was reflected in the personal attack by Counsel implying a breach of Professional Code of Conduct in respect of disclosure of the false letters of support for the planning applications. That allegation does not of course stand up, as shown by the false letters on the Inspectorate’s website. No explanation of the letters nor apology for that unjustified and unjustifiable attack have been forthcoming. But the last word has to go to Peter Eaton, who neatly positioned himself to have the last word. He said:”From myself and from local residents I would like to say something if I may. At the Case Management Conference it appeared that it was likely that we wouldn’t be streamed. I know that local authorities are strapped for cash so this is just a thank you to the council leadership for streaming this inquiry. It’s been very much welcomed and there’s lots of things have been sent through to me and [resulting] requests to clarify. So I actually thank the council for doing so. I think it’s a very important situation seeing democracy and transparency. It’s got great value.” [This was a brilliant piece of diplomacy from Peter. Whatever the outcome of the Inquiry in March, MBCG needs to encourage the Council not to ignore the local community, but to continue to work with it, as it was compelled to do during the hearing. The fact that the Council had to be coerced by public pressure to provide the live-streaming can be left to the likes of this blog. And it is certainly true that once the decision to livestream had been taken it was provided with enthusiasm and subject to the occasional glitsch with efficiency.] “I’ve never been to an inquiry before; it’s something that you mentioned about members of the public who came along. It’s quite a daunting aura actually for the likes of myself and residents. I think it’s a great skill in the way that you’ve organised this inquiry and the way you’ve operated it in an opening collaborative spirit . I think that has been around the room generally and certainly the way you’ve invited public members to contribute has been received really wholeheartedly.” “I did a quick calculation over the last eight years, calculating the three minutes slots you get at planning committee meetings and the GLA meetings and subsequent meetings. I reckon there have about 66 minutes of a chance to actually say anything about these schemes that have come forward. So to get to day 15 is pretty amazing.” [Another brilliant point to make as the last word which cannot have been lost on the Council or the Inspector.] The Inspector concluded:”This is my last workday. This is my last workday where I will be communicating with people in real life so I’ve worn my Christmas outfit staying in the bounds of respectability. Thank you very much everybody. It was lovely to work with you over the past few weeks Merry Christmas Happy New Year.” And then the immortal words: ‘The Inquiry is closed’. |
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Thanks for your great reporting, Richard. It has been really valuable, especially since there doesn’t seem to be any local news covering Richmond.
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Dear Richard
Many thanks indeed for all your regular updates and advice on this most important topic. It has been very revealing to see how many aspects of the case have been covered. I didnt have the time to watch most of the recordings which I did sign up for but your own summaries were very helpful to follow the narrative.
I have been a Conservative group candidate a few times and have followed with interest the element of the secondary school which has been much needed since Zac Goldsmith championed the cause in 2015. As a Cllr candidate in Barnes I have always understood that a secondary school is very much needed for N Barnes where children are outside the catchment area for Richmond Park Academy. I have worked at Lowther and been a governor at Sheen Mount and now at Chessington school. As a governor at Chessington school I heard Ash Ali head of the academy say that a new school would undermine the viability of places and funding for our school which now has vacancies across the age groups.
Did I understand correctly that the case for a school has been widely questioned and that no school would make the site more viable for the developer?
If you have a moment to confirm this key element of the debate I would very much appreciate this clarification.
Kind regards
Helen Edward 07771 786151
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Thank you Helen. I think you have raised a number of important points, such that I am working on an additional post on education,
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Dear Richard Congratulations
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Richard- congratulations on your epic devotion to the process- thank you for you regular updates and for your final summary. Having dipped into the live streaming I found your comments very helpful. Well done!
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And thanks too to Richard AH White for all these superb summaries. Let’s hope the Inspector is happy to use his last judgment to represent community rather than unaffordable development on a brownfield site which could be much better used.
Best wishes
Bruce
Bruce Houlder 07956261130
>
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Thank you Richard for keeping up this blog.I am very grateful for your comments and applaud your determination to not only go most days but to write up your findings
Nick
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Thank you, Richard, for your very concise reporting – and excellent comments!
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Hi Richard Thank you for this excellent blog. I note the info about the deadline for comments on the NPPF, vis. 17 January. Does this mean that the reconvening of the inquiry on Friday 10 January to discuss the NPPF is not happening? If so, that’s great news because I can’t be there on that day. You also mention that the Richmond Housing Land Supply Report is about to emerge on the Inquiry website. It hasn’t emerged yet neither on the Inquiry website nor on the Council website but I look forward to seeing it. Best Tim
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