Developers have appealed to the government over a council rule that orders them to warn new residents about noise from a famous music venue.
The so-called deed of easement would mean that new residents at homes near The Stables, in Wavendon, would have to be told of the possibility of noise coming from the venue.
This would, supporters argue, give The Stables a level of protection from residents who will move into new homes on land off Ortensia Drive, in Wavendon Gate, and start complaining about noise.
Now, councillors have been told that Abbey Homes has appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate over the inclusion of “condition 25″ on the development site.
Tracy Darke, the director of growth, economy, and culture at Milton Keynes Council, appealed for support from councillors to defend their decision.
She told Thursday’s meeting of the development control committee that: ” We really do need an army of members at the inquiry.
“It’s really, really, important because it was an overturned decision and particularly because counsel opinion did indicate it was ultra vires.”
Councillors had rejected their own officers’ advice, including that of a barrister, who said the council had no power to impose such a condition.
She continued: “So it’s really important to get that different approach from members, particularly local members that can really bring that power of the community to the inquiry and probably add quite a lot of weight to the argument.”
The committee heard that despite being invited to step forward only one councillor, Pauline Wallis (Lab, MK Central) had so far volunteered.
Committee chairman Cllr John Bint (Cons, Broughton) asked his colleagues to check their diaries to help “particularly when we suspect it’s going to hang on a public impact”.
Cllr Bint asked the committee’s officers whether they could contribute “in other ways,” including submitting a “two-page document”.
“Some of us are daunted by the prospect of hundreds of pages of witness statements.”
But Tracy Darke said it would be useful to have councillors appear in person because: “Members and residents tend to get more opportunity and heard more.
“Inspectors are more gentle in their approach to members and third parties other than officers who have to have everything nailed to the words. We can work together on that. ”
After the meeting, MonicaFerguson, the chief executive and artistic director of The Stables said they were “disappointed” about the appeal.
She said that the condition would “inform future residents aboutThe Stables and protect the venue from ongoing legal battles.”
She added that The Stables will “continue to make the case for the condition of a deed of easement to be upheld.”
The Planning Inspectorate said, on Monday, that the matter would be the subject of a hearing, held in public, but that a date and venue had not yet been set.
