Shh...don't tell anyone: it's a secret!

According to the local press, Town & Country Housing Association has major plans for the Sherwood estate in Tunbridge Wells. The plans provide for demolition of flats, new build on allotments and green spaces and a new road.

I am sure it is all very commendable. The problem is that the plans have been developed in secret and have only partly come into the public domain as a result of details being 'leaked' by councillors to residents. Apparently councillors who have copies of the plans were sworn to secrecy.

We are told by central government that there is to be 'localism' and 'community engagement', yet in this instance the last people to know about the plans are local residents! When the Labour government introduced community plans the guidance was that it was no good simply producing a plan for comment. People had to be engaged in the preparation of the plan. It is a pity Town & Country did not consult at an earlier stage, then there would have been no need for 'leaks'.

The proposals should have a positive impact, but it has to be understood that many residents on the Sherwood estate are not tenants of the housing association. Worries and concerns will have been raised by the press report. The housing association should take residents into their confidence at all stages in the process, not hide behind secret documents, however laudable the plans or the intentions behind the secrecy.