DCSIMG

July 28: Why should anyone believe this dream?


Published on Tuesday 28 July 2009 11:09

So now we have it from the horse's mouth. The Government plans to double Northampton's population and build 40,000 new houses are a bad idea.

Councillor Tony ("I can't say no") Woods is leader of Northampton Borough Council, a board member of WNDC, a member of the East Midlands Regional Assembly and chairman of the Joint Planning Committee, which is busy promoting this massive expansion.

He now writes in the C&E that he has always opposed growth on this scale, that local councils are powerless to stop it and that we can only try and "make the best of a bad job".

This is hardly the "Vision for West Northamptonshire" as described in the Joint Core Strategy which has now been released for consultation: "It blends the best of modern cultural urban living, enhanced by a network of green spaces together with high quality parks and gardens, with beautiful tranquil villages and rolling landscapes."

We will now have six weeks (during the peak holiday period!) to comment on the Government's expansion plan.

If the man responsible for pushing it through does not believe in the dream, why should anyone else?

Rod Sellers,

Ash Lane, Collingtree, Northampton.

New homes on MP's doorstep

AS a former Labour activist, it beggars belief how the party has turned its back on ordinary working people. Local MP Sally Keeble's latest trick to win votes was to write to residents in Southfields, expressing concern at the Government's target to build 5,500 new homes in Moulton.

Mrs Keeble's missive follows the news that Northampton is expected to grow to 300,000 by 2026.

As both a constituent and local councillor, I have some tough questions for Mrs Keeble:

1 Why did she support the creation of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) to railroad Labour's growth plans?

2 Why didn't she confront ex-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott about his plans between 1997 and 2004, before the quango's creation?

3 Does her Government still think its growth target is reasonable given Labour's plans to cut public spending after the next General Election?

4 Will she now lobby ministers to reconsider Labour's plans as a matter of urgency?

5 And if so, will she apologise to residents in Southfields for causing unnecessary anxiety by using a misleading "homes go here" map as part of her recent leaflet?

No doubt, Mrs Keeble's shock at the news is motivated by the likelihood of 5,500 new homes on the doorstep of her second home.

Dennis Meredith,

Lib Dem Borough and County Councillor for Thorplands, Northampton

Greenfields plan will hit funding

LET me put some understanding to the objections people are making in the paper and support what Mr I J Stocker (Viewpoint, July 23) said about the town of Northampton needing more housing, a new town centre, new bus station, new train station and a Market Square to be proud of.

The growth agenda is set in the Regional Special Strategy for the East Midlands and allocates dwelling numbers for Northamptonshire.

All the district councils have identified where they want to put their allotted growth in respect of key towns in their areas but Northampton wants to put its allocation on greenfields which require funding for new roads, new schools and new local centres.

This will take away the funding to enable the delivery of all the things Northampton needs to become what it once was, a vibrant centre with quality leisure, retail and recreation to bring people back into Northampton.

Sally Townsend,

Chairman, Mid Northamptonshire Parishes 2001.

Find money and get on with it

IF ever the incompetence of the Liberal Democrat administration needed highlighting, it has been shown in the excuse provided by Councillor David Perkins (Lib Dem cabinet member for finance) that the work to provide Ability Northants, Shopmobility and the users of the service with a new and improved facility will not be completed because he cannot find the money to finish the job (Chronicle & Echo, July 23).

It is incredible that the failure of the administration to cost the work out correctly results in a well-respected organisation like Ability Northants and the public who have and continue to contribute to the town being so shabbily treated. The reality is that the administration has the funding in unallocated reserves and there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that 10,000 could not be found to complete the job.

What we are witnessing is the vulnerable having to pay for the incompetence of Liberal Democrats who have rapidly descended into becoming the uncaring party, a party that even some of its own members are beginning to become disillusioned with.

There are some things that should override financial matters and support for the older and vulnerable members of society is one of them.

Councillor Perkins and his Liberal Democrat colleagues should stop making excuses and get on with it.

Councillor David Palethorpe,

Leader of the Conservative Group, Northampton Borough Council.

Hold back rent in toilet row

I REFER to the article regarding the lack of toilets for market traders, as featured in Wednesday's Chronicle & Echo and would like to suggest a simple and common-sense solution to this problem.

That is to issue sets of keys for the Sheep Street toilets or Market Office to a limited number of nominated market stallholders, perhaps including Fitzy.

If the decision-makers at The Guildhall will not compromise on this issue, then I suggest the stallholders get together and withhold part or all of their rent.

Name and address supplied

but withheld on request.

Street Doctor must be off sick

IT seems that there is no point reporting potholes as this so-called "Street Doctor" must be off sick.

I reported potholes in Queens Crescent on May 11. I was told they would be dealt with within 28 days. Nothing has been done.

Surely logic dictates that if potholes are not repaired then motorists will claim and as this council is cash-strapped then it will have less money to spend on other essential services.

Continual excuses are of no avail. The council must get its act together and repair these roads when told of problems.

Mike Papworth,

Queens Crescent, Northampton.

Blind eye turned to path parkers

I would like to make the people of Duston, aware of the forum provided by Duston Parish Council where they can air their grievances, sing the praises of Duston, or just make light banter. They can also contact the local bobby, or talk about the local schools.

I complained about the people who park on pavements in Duston. I had a visit from the local PCSOs who, to my amazement, told me they turn a blind eye to people who park on the pavement as long as the public can get by with a buggy. I am currently a lone voice on this matter.

You can log on or register here: http://www.dustonparish.org.uk/

Alan Bradshaw,

Firsview Drive, New Duston,

Northampton.


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