Haringey’s Liberal Democrat opposition has expressed strong concern over the lack of residents’ involvement in the current and vitally important consultation on Haringey’s new Unitary Development Plan (UDP). Cllr Bob Hare, Lib Dem Environment Spokesperson, has requested that the consultation period for this highly important document, which will shape the borough for decades to come, is extended to 12 weeks, but this has been rejected by the Labour council. The consultation period on the draft UDP is due to end on 6th November, and Lib Dems say that the short time scales are being exacerbated by the postal strike.

“The UDP identifies areas for housing, shopping, industry, and other uses, and sets out the policies that the Council will apply in deciding planning applications for developments of all kinds. It is crucial that the Council should make every effort to involve residents in the consultation process,” explained Cllr Hare.

“But despite this importance, a large number of residents have told us that they have not received the leaflet that was supposed to be delivered to every household. The leaflet, and the article in the council’s magazine, also both failed to explain that residents can purchase the document as well as viewing it online,” he said.

“It is essential that Haringey Council gets the UDP right – it has a major impact on all residents’ lives. First of all this means doing a thorough consultation and including as much input from local residents as possible. Unfortunately the Council is failing at the first hurdle,” said Cllr Hare.

At the recent Crouch End Area Assembly, only around four of the 70 residents present had received any information about the UDP consultation through their letter box, reports Cllr David Winskill (Lib Dem, Crouch End).

“The UDP of any borough is perhaps the most important document where local residents have a right to a say. Once again Haringey’s consultation process has let us all down,” said Cllr Winskill, Lib Dem Planning Spokesperson.

“Haringey must extend the consultation period to make the process a success and not take cover behind the flimsy excuse of bureaucratic rules,” he added.