CONSERVATIVES AT COUNTY HALL IN A SHAMBLES OVER FIRE STATION

1.05.00pm GMT Sun 6th Feb 2005

Following a meeting with local residents about withdrawal of the application for Fire Station Anne Lee, Woking Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Spokesperson, said:

"Whilst I welcome the decision by SCC to withdraw the application it should never have got to this stage. They should have consulted the residents in the first place and put more thought into their proposals. All they have succeeded in doing is upsetting many local people by their heavy-handed attitude. Woking deserves better than this shambles.

"We need to make sure that this is not just a temporary victory until after the election, understandable residents are cynical. I know that County Councillor Diana Smith and Borough Councillor Diana Landon will both work with local residents to ensure that this piece of precious land is not developed. There are other pieces of land in the area which need similar protection.

"This pattern of "decide first, consult briefly later" has to be reversed. There have now been three recent proposals where the Conservatives have shown their true colours: County Hall, the Waste Plant in Maybury and the Fire station on Lockfield Drive. Apart from the arrogance of this approach, it costs the taxpayer money in paying expensive consultancy, engineering and architectural fees."

Diana Smith, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Woking West, added: "The more I looked at the detail of the plans with residents, the less practical and more disruptive the whole scheme seemed. I want to know exactly how much the County Council spent on these glossy plans."

Further information: Dr Anne Lee 07973 175059

Cty Cllr Diana Smith 01483 762273