Let the people decide

"Let the people decide" was the loud and clear message given at Tuesday's public meeting organised by Carlton Colville Parish Council to discuss the forthcoming Waveney Local Development Framework.

This government's planning system denies local people their say. In spite of so called "consultation" the final decision will be taken by a government appointed Planning Inspector who has no local accountability.

The system requires root and branch reform, so that local councillors answerable to local people have the first and last say.

The message from Tuesday's meeting was that people want no more houses in Carlton Colville. Clearly we need more houses in Waveney but I believe they should first of all go on brownfield sites, with the government making money available for flood defences and where necessary to clean up old industrial sites. Where greenfield sites are to be developed we must get back to the situation whereby infrastructure comes first and houses second.

Above all, all of this must be underscored by local democracy.