"Tories turn down chance to consult" - Swift-Hook

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 21st Dec 2006

Cllr Julian Swift-Hook is holding a public meeting about the Abbotswood proposals on January 16th

Lib Dem Councillor Julian Swift-Hook has today lambasted the Tories running West Berkshire Council for their refusal at last week's meeting of full council to extend consultation over the controversial proposals to site a new waste facility at Abbotswood.

Councillor Swift-Hook commented:

"I am absolutely amazed that the Tories think that their consultation with local residents has been adequate. I am not, however, particularly surprised that they voted against delaying the application by just one meeting to allow them to consult properly, as they should have done to start with. This arrogance is typical of the Tory administration - who simply ignore public opinion to get their own agenda through. Along with my co-ward member Billy Drummond, I have organised petitions, public meetings and have been asking local opinion for many months. We will continue to oppose this development and would like to invite all interested parties to attend a public meeting at New Greenham Arts on 16th January at 7pm to talk about the latest plans."

Note to Editor:

Councillors Swift-Hook and Drummond have come out in opposition to the proposals as ward members for Greenham. The rest of the Liberal Democrat Group has not yet taken a view and will be judging the application on the facts as it comes to Western Area Planning Committee.