The businessman waiting to hear if the government’s planning inspector will give the go ahead for England’s most central beach has written to the Prime Minister and Chief Whip complaining about the lack of support from his local MP.
Stephen Hammon, the managing director of Heart of England Conference and Events Centre, should find out in the next three weeks whether planning inspector Anthony Fussey gives the green light to Heart Park and Beach.
A three-day hearing was completed in Atherstone last month which included North Warwickshire MP Dan Byles objecting to the development.
Stephen has now written to Prime Minister David Cameron and Chief Whip Andrew Mitchell, who is also MP for Sutton Coldfield, to raise his concerns about Mr Byles’ refusal to back an initiative which has attracted tens of thousands of families over the last three years and created jobs for local people.
In his letters to Mr Cameron and Mr Mitchell, Stephen said he was frustrated at the lack of support and help from his local MP despite his repeated attempts to engage in dialogue with Mr Byles.
He wrote: “During my last meeting with Mr Byles on July 24, 2012, he told me that he couldn’t help me at all; this was because when he started out in politics he was told to never get involved in planning issues.
“Imagine my surprise two months later when Mr Byles arrived at the appeal enquiry to speak out against my inland beach and park when he had previously told me that he couldn’t get involved in planning issues.
“From reading Conservative policies, I understand that you believe that business is the driver of economic growth and innovation and that we need to take urgent action to boost enterprise and build a new and more responsible economic model.
“I believe you have also stated that there is a need to create a fairer and balanced economy, where we are not so dependent on a narrow range of economic sectors and where new business and economic opportunities are more evenly shared between regions and industries.
“All of the above I’m trying to do with no help or support just with persistent criticism and knockbacks.
“I really thought with the end of the tick-box culture and relaxation of the planning rules, I would be able to move my business forward. All I want to do is concentrate on job creation and boosting the local economy.
“I just feel that my hands are tied and that the government and local authorities would enjoy seeing my business fail and adding more people to the unemployment list.”
