The council leader emphasizes her commitment to development and affordable housing, despite recent government intervention in planning decisions.
Recently, the government stepped in and took some planning powers away. They weren’t happy with how many applications the council was rejecting. But Petrina insists they still have a say in many cases.
She mentioned that about 75% of planning applications are still coming to them. Developers can choose to apply directly to the government, but that can be risky. If the government says no, there’s no appeal.
Petrina is all for development, but she wants it to be in the right spots. She’s focused on making sure there are affordable homes for everyone. It’s just not right that people can’t afford to live in their own community.
The government is also looking at the council’s local plan, which includes over 14,000 new homes. It’s a big deal for the area, and Petrina is hopeful about the future.
