LETTER: Concerns over multiplex plan

Residents may remember Cllr Adrian M. Lee (Con, Denne) pronouncing in these pages last year (5.11.15, p34) about the importance of attending council meetings because '˜to learn about these mechanisms, it is necessary to participate, be involved, attend meetings and learn about the role of a councillor'.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Sep 2016, 09:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:46 BST

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And then in a recent interview in The Horsham Society’s newsletter he stated his understanding and interest in Horsham having very recently moved to the district.

But does Cllr Adrian M. Lee’s voting record demonstrate all of these good intentions? Cllr Lee was the only councillor who voted at the Planning Committee to demolish historic Prewett’s Mill. He also voted for Cllr Vickers’ plan to build 2,750 homes in the Strategic Gap.

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The Planning Committee is soon to be faced with a planning application critical to the future of the much loved Capitol Theatre. A national cinema chain seeks permission to build a cinema multiplex at the end of Swan Walk.

The Capitol Theatre is significantly subsidised by the council’s two screen cinema there. The future of our local arts theatre therefore is inextricably bound up with this planning application.

The Horsham Society and Denne Horsham Neighbourhood Council have both raised objections to the monolith design of this cinema multiplex (front page, Horsham edition, 18.08.16).

So just what does the local ward member Cllr Adrian M. Lee think about it?

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He chose to give his supportive views for the cinema multiplex three weeks before the Horsham Society and Denne Neighbourhood Council views were revealed in the County Times.

He emailed planning officers on 25 July 2016 stating:

“Having reviewed this application, I find that I consider it to be of high quality and a huge potential asset to the town. I have read the concerns highlighted by the various agencies and provided these are properly addressed I have no objections to this application and will support it... I have no objections.”

Does Cllr Adrian Lee listen to the public and the bodies who are tasked with protecting the town from inappropriate development before he gives his views?

Having clearly stated that he supports this application has Cllr Adrian Lee pre-determined his decision and vote?

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He hasn’t listened in the planning committee meeting to the full debate and the objectors’ concerns.

Valerie Wise

Owlscastle Close, Horsham

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