South Wales Evening Post - 15 September 2006
The integrity of Swansea Council has been called into question by calls for a public inquiry into a supermarket development, the council leader has claimed. Chris Holley has hit back at demands by two local politicians for the inquiry into the proposed £20 million Asda supermarket development in Gorseinon.
The US-owned retail giant has submitted plans to Swansea Council to build a new 30,000 sq ft superstore on land between Heol y Mynydd and Cecil Road.
The application has divided public opinion, with concerns including the effect on local businesses and an increase in traffic in the town.
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing the scheme, but many residents also feel the store would bring a boost to the local community, with knock-on effects for local traders.
Gower MP Martin Caton and the area's AM Edwina Hart this week called on the Assembly to take the planning decision for the new store out of the hands of Swansea Council.
They said it was the only way to ensure an independent consideration of the plans as the council owns the land.
But Mr Holley said he was shocked and surprised at the move. He has now called on the pair to wait until the planning department has given its verdict on the application.
"I am aghast that an AM and an MP call into question the integrity of councillors of all parties," said Mr Holley.
"It is regretful they have such a low opinion of the local authority and elected representatives.
"If anything is requested to be called in by the Assembly, it should be on planing grounds and not on the grounds of personalities.
"I am utterly let down by it. It is a slight against all of the council and elected members, and the integrity of the council."
Readers Views
Given Swansea City Council's abhorrent record dealing with planning applications I for one welcome this intervention. If the Councillors followed the recommendations of their officers then we would not have to suffer the cost of planning appeals going to the Welsh Office, only for thew councillors' decisions to be overturned in most cases. Their record is deplorable and they are a disgrace to Swansea. When asked how to get a planning application passed a local councillor replied that it was necessary to pay the right people, and he didn't mean planning fees! What more can I say.
David Morgan, Swansea
Why are the council so shocked that their integrity is called in to question? With the recent debacles over the Leisure Centre, the ongoing castle quays development that may or may not go ahead, council officials personal planning applications and the swing bridge debate on Oystermouth Road - the list goes on. Our roads are in an extreme state of disrepair, we're losing hospital services and Swansea has the 2nd highest defecit for housing repairs. We see very little for our council tax, so why are people shocked when a multi national corporation rings these alarm bells.
Steve, Swansea
