‘Highly insulting’ and a ‘direct attack’ were the words used by the leader of Wokingham Borough Council in response to Conservative questions in a fiery debate over housing.
This comes as the key document setting out areas of development across the borough, known as the local plan, will be ready for council approval in September.
The full council meeting on Thursday, July 25, saw the latest of many clashes between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, who previously led the council and produced a draft plan that was later inherited by the Lib Dems.
Conservatives have frequently claimed having no published plan has led to ‘inappropriate levels of development’.
Leader of the council Stephen Conway said work on the inherited draft since 2022 has made ‘some important improvements. But Cllr Conway said they had ‘little room to manouvre’ over previously decided developments.
Conservative Cllr Dave Edmonds asked whether it was due to ‘lethargy or incompetence’ that they had failed to produce the plan.
Responding, Cllr Conway said: “Your comments about lethargy and incompetence are highly insulting, I have to say, to the hardworking and highly professional officers who under both the previous and current administrations have dedicated so much time and effort to bringing our local plan forward.”
He added that it ‘would be more appropriate to thank them than to offer such unfair criticism’.
Cllr Edmonds asked whether one of the largest and most controversial developments on Hall Farm would be included.
Cllr Conway reminded Cllr Edmonds that the Conservative administration had put the 4,000-home proposal into the plan.
He went on to explain that they had received ‘verbal advice’ from a lawyer who told the new executive that only under ‘the most unusual circumstances’ could developments be taken out.
Pauline Jorgensen, Conservative leader, then claimed that council rules ‘clearly state that you can change it’, and asked if there was any ‘legal written advice’ on what can be changed.
Cllr Conway then said: “It’s clearly a direct attack on me and a claim that I’m not telling the truth, which I am, and I resent her implication that I’m not.”
He added: “Can I just remind you that earlier on you seemed to be wanting us to get moving with the local plan?
The draft local plan will be put to the council for debate in the next full council meeting on September 19, before needing approval from a planning inspector.
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