A Newhaven councillor has criticised Lewes District Council for a ‘lack of transparency’, over an upcoming briefing on controversial planning proposals. In a statement released last week, Newhaven North councillor Sean Macleod (Ind) criticised plans for the council’s planning committee to receive a private briefing on proposals to build 126 flats and duplexes on land in Beach Road, near to the entrance of Newhaven Port. Cllr Macleod argues the briefing, which the LDRS understands will take place ahead of a public decision-making meeting later this week, ‘undermines the planning process’.
In his statement, Cllr Macleod said: “I was dismayed by this lack of transparency. The meeting will not be recorded or minuted; it completely undermines the planning process as being truly transparent. “Three members of the public are given a chance to put their voice across for three minutes at the meeting and that is all, yet the developer is being given an hour of private access plus its chance to present its case further at [the] committee meeting.
“How can members of the public truly trust that the planning process is fair and transparent when there are private meetings taking place, it’s clear the officers want to push this monstrous development through but it should be done in a fair and equal manner not with behind closed doors briefings. “This development has the potential to change the way Newhaven looks forever and residents are rightly concerned by Lewes Distri.