Further retreat on Crane Valley on cards?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 18th Sep 2003

Councillor Martin Elengorn

Liberal Democrat Environment Cllr Martin Elengorn greeted with cautious optimism the news that the part of the UDP Inquiry dealing with the Crane Valley has been postponed until December.

Said Martin: "The Tories have realised at long last that a scheme for educational provision opposed by the colleges it is supposed to benefit is unlikely to impress the UDP Inspector. Equally a scheme to build all over Metropolitan Open Land which is opposed by the Mayor and GLA is not very likely to get anywhere. We have been pointing this out for months but the Tories only seem able to accept reality in small doses."

"So we have had a stage by stage retreat but with the latest scheme still involving building on the land with most nature conservation interest. No doubt on legal advice the Tories have now realised they must negotiate with the colleges and the GLA. But sadly they still seem reluctant to get into meaningful dialogue with local residents whose action Group FORCE has come up with Option 5 which puts the emphasis on preserving open space."

"We must keep our fingers crossed that another strategic retreat is on the cards."