Matthew Pennycook

Why I’ve written to the Minister and why I’m not giving up

Independent District Councillor Rue Grewal responds to the Minister’s recent letter.
[See previous post: IMPORTANT: Local Plan Reg 19 Suspended]

I wanted to share the attached letter with you directly and explain why, as an Independent Councillor, I felt it was important to act.

Like many of you, I was deeply disappointed by the Minister’s letter on the Local Plan. I know how long this road has been, how much time, energy and goodwill residents have poured into this process, and how exhausting it can feel to face renewed uncertainty after so much hard work.

I have chosen to act independently because I believe in this community and in doing what I feel is right, not what suits a party line. Being an Independent means I do not have a political machine behind me, but it also means I have the freedom and responsibility to speak plainly, to challenge when needed, and to stand up for residents without hesitation. That is a privilege I take very seriously.

Over the past few years, this has been a long and demanding journey. I have dedicated a great deal of time and energy to protecting our green spaces and shaping a Local Plan that is evidence-based, collaborative and grounded in reality. I know many of you have done the same. What we have achieved together should not be underestimated, and we should all be immensely proud of the work that has been done.

More than that, I genuinely believe we have built something important along the way. We have strengthened relationships, worked constructively across communities, and, at least for me, made new friends. That matters, and it will matter even more in what comes next.

I am sharing my letter with you so that you know, clearly and unequivocally, that I am not giving up. I may not have a party behind me, but I have conviction, evidence, and a community I care deeply about. This moment may require a rethink, but it does not require surrender.

We have come too far for that.

Thank you, as always, for your trust, your partnership and your resilience. I remain committed to standing with you and continuing this work together.

With very best wishes,
Cllr Rue Grewal
Independent District Councillor for Carpenders Park
Independent Group Leader, Three Rivers District Council

Read her full letter here: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Letter-to-Matthew-Pennycook-MP-v3.pdf

By RDRA Web Admin, ago

IMPORTANT: Local Plan Reg 19 Suspended

On 5th February, a letter from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has been sent to the Leader of Three Rivers District Council Stephen Medhurst ahead of the Regulation 19 consultation on the new local plan.

The Minister raises serious concerns that the council’s emerging plan proposes to meet only 56% of its assessed housing need, leaving a shortfall of more than 5,000 homes, and that there is little public justification for this. He warns that the plan is therefore at high risk of being found unsound or legally non-compliant at examination.

Because of these concerns, the Minister is using powers under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to issue a “holding direction,” preventing the council from taking any steps toward adopting the plan while the government considers whether further intervention is necessary.

He requests the full set of documents and evidence intended for the Regulation 19 consultation by 19 February 2026, and encourages the council to work constructively with government officials going forward.

Read Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook full letter here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter

Read Independent District Councillor Rue Grewal’s response here:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2026/02/why-ive-written-to-the-minister-and-why-im-not-giving-up/

By R.D.R.A., ago