Greg Lance - Watkins (Greg_L-W)
01626 830630
Whitfield House Hotel in Wood Stanway.
Protesters angry at plans for a hotel
Nigel Farage, leader of Ukip
Nigel Farage can normally be found expressing his frank opinions about national political issues.
But the UKIP leader has turned his attention to a small hamlet in the Cotswolds.
Mr Farage, an MEP for the South East of England, has voiced his objection to the development of a 10-bedroom boutique hotel in Wood Stanway, near Winchcombe.
Residents have made their opposition to the development clear with a series of meetings and protests.
And Mr Farage has now offered his support, urging Tewkesbury Borough Council to turn the application down today.
He said: “The proposal for a boutique hotel in Wood Stanway would undermine a little treasure in Gloucestershire. I urge the planning committee to reject this application.”
Mr Farage also attacked the current housing policy saying: “I have been involved in several cases where the National Planning Policy Framework has been involved.
“They have the power to override local democracy at all levels, no wonder shire Tories are walking away from this government.
“In this case the local Tories do need to be a little frightened of us.”
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s development control manager Paul Skelton responded: “Our scheme of delegation means planning officers can make decisions on planning applications, unless they fall outside of certain criteria it is normally smaller, straightforward applications that get dealt with that way.
“Where delegated powers cannot be used, the planning committee makes the final decision as to whether to approve or refuse the application.
“These sorts of applications are usually large or complex, or are requested by either an objector or a council member to be taken to committee.”
UKIP Parliamentary candidate for Tewkesbury Stuart Adair said: “I am extremely grateful that Nigel has taken time out of his busy schedule to issue a statement on the Wood Stanway hotel application.”
“It shows the depth of passion that we in UKIP have for protecting our rural environment and defending the rights of local residents against the ever increasing demands of developers who have little regard for the local community.”
The planning application, which comes from Pickering Real Estates Ltd, proposes to transform Whitfield House – a Grade II listed building and a former vicarage – into the new hotel.
Residents fear that this change will disrupt the natural tranquillity of the area.
Mr Adair continued: “Some may think that the construction of a hotel in the rural village of Wood Stanway is not a huge issue, and indeed compared with the developments planned as part of the JCS it’s not.
“However, yet again we have a situation where developers are planning a construction project with total disregard for the local community.
“The building of a hotel in Wood Stanway will irrevocably damage life in this hamlet and I feel for the local community who may have to contend with a hotel licenced to play loud music until 11pm.”
Tewkesbury Borough Council planners are due to discuss the application today.
Ukip-vs-EUkip 
geoffbastin said
Your continued criticisms of UKIP and Nigel Farage in particular is somewhat misplaced in this regard. The National Planning Policy Framework is a very comprehensive piece of statute that was introduced to include EU directives whilst over riding all previous legislation and giving both planning officers as well as local councillors more sweeping powers to approve applications without often having to follow the readily accepted procedures. That leaves many local residents facing the prospects of decisions being made outside any of their objections. In this case, as I understand there is an election on the horizon, a party leader has chosen to get involved. Nothing wrong with that especially if the Prime Minister can voice his thoughts on so many subjects that should never concern him. It’s what politicians do to attract attention so what is so wrong? I feel you are scratching for something to write this time. And in any case for someone who professes never to have joined a political party you seem to spend a disproportionate amount of time focusing on UKIP when there are at least three other far more suitable parties and individuals to home in on.
LikeLike