Symn Lane Car Park - DCC 2nd December 2025

Development Control Committee - S.23/2101/VAR

So, finally, the variation, effectively to complete the Symn Lane Car Park, was granted unanimously last night at SDC.

SDC will ensure that the development will complete as soon as practically possible using a legal agreement called a section 106. The planning officer indicated this will likely mean June, July 2026.

I felt I had to draw attention to the fact that this project has been dragging on for nine years. There remains great annoyance in the community that developers make promises to gain planning consents then water down or wriggle out of those same promises through variations such as that discussed last night.

When I started my 330 signature petition against this variation, reducing the number of spaces to 60 odd back in 2023, it was long before I decided to run for election at district council. It then became an election promise, so last night I had to deliver on that promise. I hope I've properly represented the views of all those who voted for me.

Now, I will do my utmost to press for a lessons learnt exercise to prevent these sagas from repeating because our communities deserve far better that this.

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The Development Control meeting at SDC