Telford council boss hits out at Newport store protesters
The leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has launched a scathing attack on the vocal opponents to plans for a massive supermarket in Newport.
Councillor Kuldip Sahota told last night's full council meeting that he had stayed quiet while an independent inspector considered an application to designate land at Station Road as a village green, which would have prevented the Sainsbury's store from being built.
The sale of the land is likely to net Telford & Wrekin Council £21 million, but the supermarket application has been called in by the Secretary of State and he will make the final decision.
Councillor Sahota said: "The independent inspector has now reported and supported the council's position that there was no case for this land to be registered as a village green.
"In the inspector's report, she describes some of the evidence given by those supporting a village green as, I quote, 'exaggeration' and 'inconsistent'.
"She even describes one person as 'embroidering his evidence as he went along to the point of implausibility'.
"This council has been shown to have acted reasonably, rationally and honestly – true to our values.
"This council has a duty to maximise our assets for the benefit of all our residents and I am delighted that the council's position and our actions have been completely validated and vindicated by the independent sector.
"Like all our market towns, Telford & Wrekin Council wants to see a prosperous and thriving Newport and that's what we are striving for."
There were mutters of "rubbish" from some Conservative councillors after he finished speaking.
Tory leader Councillor Andrew Eade later described the council's inclusion of the £21 million in the budget as "high risk". He said: "Why isn't this £21 million identified as a significant risk?
"If or when this action by the council fails, will those responsible do the honourable thing and resign?
"There is every chance the legal actions the council is taking, at significant cost to the taxpayer, will significantly rebound on them."
Councillor Bill McClements said: "There are risks in almost everything we do – why should we say that particular risk has any greater risk than any others."
By Ann Clarkson
