A DISTRICT Planning Councillor has today (Thursday) announced he is resigning from his party due to ‘inappropriate development in Wealden’.
Councillor Neil Cleaver has released a statement outlining his reasons for leaving the Liberal Democrat party saying: “I have felt pressure from both officers and politicians to approve applications that I believe are not right for Wealden.”
The news comes the day after Rachel Millward, Green Party Councillor for Hartfield ward, took over from Liberal Democrat James Partridge to be the first Green Party leader of Wealden District Council.
Mr Cleaver said in a statement: “I am resigning from my position as a Liberal Democrat and as a member of the Alliance for Wealden. In recent months, it has become clear that the Alliance, with little action from the Liberal Democrats, is being led by a left-wing Green Party ideology. This ideology, ironically, supports more inappropriate development in Wealden.
I have felt pressure from both officers and politicians to approve applications that I believe are not right for Wealden. The focus seems to be on approving everything to meet a four-year housing land supply target, without considering the pros and cons of each application.
I have worked hard for Hailsham and Wealden as a Liberal Democrat Councillor. But due to the Green Party’s influence in the Alliance, I can no longer stay with a group that wants me to go against my principles for a cause I do not believe in, which I think will harm Wealden and the people who elected me.
I will continue to represent their interests from a different political platform—one that doesn’t force me to put aside my views and conscience to support a goal I do not agree with.”
Mr Cleaver attended today’s Planning South Meeting at the Civic Hall in Hailsham (16 May), but sat in the public gallery following his official resignation. It is rumoured he will be joining the Conservative Party, but this has not been confirmed by Cleaver.
Councillor Millward commented after taking on her new role: “I am honoured to lead Wealden District Council towards a fairer, greener, kinder future, and grateful to my Alliance colleagues for the opportunity. The teamwork that’s been so fruitful thus far will continue, and our three priorities remain the same: climate change and the environment; community resilience and wellbeing and the local economy.
I am particularly excited to develop our next Climate Change Strategy, get better at listening to and engaging with our communities, and to find new ways to improve the well-being of our residents, both rural and urban, including the development of a cultural strategy for the first time.”
Rachel Millward becomes the 12th Green Council Leader in England & Wales.
