Durham councillor says opponents 'rip up green belt'

Councillor Mark Wilkes said "horrendous" plans had been forced through, leaving people "pulling their hair out".

He was told to "tone it down" and that he was "totally out of order" after he made allegations against Labour.

Cllr Wilkes, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, made the comments at a Durham County Council public meeting.

Councillors were discussing the proposed creation of two heads of services for economic development, planning and housing.

They eventually voted to establish the six-figure-salary roles, which will replace one existing council chief, costing over £120,000, at the budget and council tax setting meeting on Wednesday (February 23).

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During the debate Cllr Wilkes said: "For decades residents in this county, in particular in Durham city area, have been pulling their hair out over planning issues.

"I for one am not willing to allow this to continue.

"For one of the biggest councils in the country to not have a head of planning would be extraordinary."

Cllr Mark Wilkes. Picture: Durham County Council.

He directed remarks at the Labour opposition to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat-Independent joint administration.

The Lib Dem councillor added: "Perhaps members opposite would be happy for this so they can continue block voting at planning meetings.

"I look forward to having an excellent head of planning making sure planning in this county is fit for purpose and our green belt is protected, not ripped up by members opposite."

"I look forward to a stronger planning department making sure that Labour politicians can't continue to force through horrendous planning applications."

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At this point Labour group leader Cllr Carl Marshall rose to his feet and said: "I'd just like to make the point that planning committees aren't political."

Amid laughter from parts of the hall, he added: "We need to be very, very careful about throwing around accusations like that in here.

"We know the consequences, not just for us as individuals but for the council, of bandying stuff like that around in here.

"It's totally out of order, Chair."

Cllr Carl Marshall. Picture: Northern Echo. (Image: Northern Echo, Newsquest)

Chairman of the council Cllr Watts Stelling said: "You make a good point, Carl. Stick to the script, please, Cllr Wilkes."

Cllr Paul Taylor then said: "I was chair of the east and central planning committee for several years.

"Can Cllr Wilkes confirm what accusation he's making against me, because I refute it absolutely.

"There is no politics in planning.

"Accusations have been made. I've like it withdrawn or substantiated."

The chair allowed Cllr Wilkes to continue his speech, saying: "Tone it down though."

Cllr Wilkes said: "Actually Cllr Taylor, you're one of the few Labour councillors who I did have regard for on planning, standing up for Durham city."

The chairman interrupted, saying: "Stop it now, please."

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Labour Cllr Angela Surtees said of the planning committee comments: "I would like Cllr Wilkes to withdraw that statement publicly, please."

Cllr Wilkes replied: "Chair, I'm happy to withdraw that and we'll see what happens at the next planning meeting.

"The previous Labour administration left us completely void of capacity to move our economy forward, to protect residents from dodgy development and to ensure we have housing policies fit for the 21st century.

"We must make sure that new and existing housing is as energy-efficient as possible.

"We must ensure we have proper strategies and capacity to make our housing more energy-efficient, helping ensure we cut residents' energy bills and get the most energy-efficient new housing possible."

Labour Cllr Eddy Adam responded: "It isn't right for Cllr Wilkes to have spurious accusations thrown at this side of the political sphere because planning is not a political issue.

"Cllr Wilkes' cheap dig to justify creating an additional cost to our taxpayers is unacceptable."