The Conservative administration of Kingston Council has refused to allow the controversial planning applications for the Tesco site by the old Toby Jug site on the A3 and Tolworth Tower being discussed by local residents at Surbiton and South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committees.

Neighbourhoods were set up by Liberal Democrats 22 years ago to ensure local residents could have a say in local issues before decisions were made. Under the previous Lib Dem Administration, Neighbourhood Committees were automatically consulted on all large planning applications before a decision was made at the Development Control Committee and residents were invited to have their say.

says Councillor Liz Green, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Kingston

Without any public consultation, the Conservative Administration made divisive and undemocratic changes to the Council’s Constitution at the last Council meeting. Sadly, the result is that both Lib Dem run Neighbourhood Committees closest to the area where residents live will not be consulted on the Tesco site or the Tolworth Tower planning applications.

added Councillor Malcolm Self, Chair of Surbiton Neighbourhood committee.

For more on this decision visit www.kingstonlibdems.org.uk