Death of Local Accountability
| Published: 22nd May 2008 11:23 |
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SW1A 0AA
From BRIAN BINLEY MP
DEATH OF LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY!
The decision to grant approval to a housing development in Northampton, despite the substantial problems it will cause, heralds the death of local accountability, says local MP Brian Binley. Mr Binley wrote letters to both the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation and the Government but, despite a final plea yesterday, the controversial development was approved.
Mr Binley said,
‘This decision marks the death of accountability in local decision making. This Government has created an unelected and unaccountable Quango, which is now passing dangerous planning applications with scant regard for local opinion and safety. I wonder whether local representatives have any powers left?
This Government Quango is making decisions based on reaching arbitrary housing targets and the result is that the residents of Northampton will suffer. They will suffer because they cannot get into their local GP. They will suffer because they have to drive their children to schools miles away, because the one on their doorstep is oversubscribed. They will suffer when they are stuck in half hour traffic jams just to get out of Grange Park village and onto the M1. They will suffer as a result of totally inadequate sewerage facilities.
There were always fears that the WNDC would make decisions without heed to local views. At the very first meeting of the Regional Board, Lord Rooker stated that the Corporations’ job was not to be a talking house, but to drive the programme through. We now know that the local views of the people of Northampton and the wider area and their elected representatives matter not one jot.
Mr Binley continued,
‘This is a smack in the face to all those who thought that elected officials are accountable for their decisions and the fact that this application has been passed must raise questions about the suitability of the WNDC to oversee the future of Northampton. I have written to the WNDC and the Government to express my absolute disgust at this decision, but would not be surprised to find that a Government official marked to approve the WNDC decision will not have even heard of Grange Park, let alone be aware of the local problems it faces.
Detail of Application in Grange Park - with Objections
Hazel Blears Letter page 1 and page 2
Could what is happening in Grange Park happen to Towcester?
What do you think?
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Posts: 18It will be also interesting to see how this goes with the Secretary of State.
