I was interested to read the responses to my previous letter from councillors Gale and Begy in last week's Rutland Times with regard to the planning committee approval of the so called Big Build project.
My principal concern was that out of nine planning committee members, only four voted in favour of the plans as they stand and five abstained.
It must be reasonable to assume, therefore, that the majority have some serious concerns with the detai
ls, a point confirmed by Mr Gale.
Sadly, even though council leader Councillor Roger Begy was concerned enough to state, 'In all my time as a councillor I have never come across a position of so many abstentions.,' he was not prepared to refer the decision to the full council, stating that, 'referral up should be the exception rather than the rule.'
If a £26 million pound investment (more than double the previous largest project approved by the council) is not worthy of referral then what other project is?
I am sure that most of the people in Oakham, like me, want to see a new school and a vastly improved community sports and leisure facility.
It is the council's duty to ensure that the £26 million delivers just that.
So, I urge Mr Begy to refer this matter up and to make absolutely certain that we get full value, now and in the future, from this very significant investment. Second best will not do.
David Beswick
Oakham
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