Conservatives told to do Core Strategy consultation “properly”

Conservatives on Wiltshire council have been left red faced after officers sent back Wiltshire's Core Strategy with concerns that the Conservative administration had cut corners during the consultation period.

Wiltshire Conservative's last minute change to the Core Strategy, which took away a communities power to decide whether or not they wanted a wind turbine or not, was also never consulted according to officers.

Whilst the Core Strategy is in consultation, the delay will cost taxpayers more money and put our green spaces at an increased risk of speculative development.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire Council said, "Last minute backbench amendments and a consultation that officers did not consider adequate are now putting the Core Strategy at risk, increasing the risk of speculative development, and costing the taxpayer more money."

"Once again, Conservatives in Wiltshire have tried to make decisions without consulting the people of Wiltshire properly, and we are now faced with an embarrassing situation where officers have sent back the Core strategy and told the council to do it properly".