PLANNING PROCESS IS BROUGHT INTO QUESTION

Moseley Estates has been given permission to build about 100 homes on allotments in Doctor's Lane – despite previously rejecting the plans and receiving 140 objections.

Residents are furious and county councillor and former development committee member Matthew O'Callaghan is concerned they are not being adequately represented.

He claimed: "The council needs to think about its development committee, the role of members and the planning process. There is a lot of inconsistency.

"Melton Council has a financial interest in this application, it owns land on the site. The council should declare an interest to ensure integrity."

Councillor Richard Umbers, chairman of the development committee, said any interest was extremely minimal.

"The council owns two small pieces of land on the site, one a garage the other an allotment."

However, Dr O'Callaghan asked why a decision was not deferred in view of the controversy and the fact an appeal has been made against a previous decision.

"It's that inconsistency that upsets residents and shows the system's not fair or logical. Development committee members should represent residents."

In a letter to the Melton Times (below), a Willcox Drive resident claimed: "Democracy has taken a back seat."

Dr O'Callaghan raised the issue of training and questioned councillors' knowledge of planning procedures, adding: "I don't think it is a coincidence that most councillors are rural councillors who are happy to dump houses in Melton."

Mr Umbers said new committee members undergo two sessions of planning training. He also refuted claims rural councillors are biased, adding: "Because they are villages, development is limited. The fact councillors live in villages does not mean they are not aware of town problems."

He pointed out that three of the councillors who were in support of refusing the application live in villages.

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I ASK Mr Swain 'would he want this in his back yard?', I think not.

All the residents wanted was a fair hearing and they did not get one – three minutes to get all your views over is not enough.

I do not want the extra traffic, or the traffic calming. As for improving the junction at Norman Way/Thorpe End, doesn't the council realise that when the town is gridlocked no matter what improvements are made the traffic has nowhere to go. A decent ring road should be first on the agenda, not building new homes to cause more traffic problems.

MR D. MORTON

Firwood Road, Melton

I HAVE lived on the Calverley estate for the past 10 years. It is a lovely quiet area and I would like it to stay this way.

So I am writing to strongly object to any traffic calming measures that may be implemented, as there is no valid reason for them to go ahead.

I also strongly object to Doctor's Lane being closed. This should be left open for health and safety reasons.

SANDRA DOLPHIN-ROWLAND

Ferneley Crescent, Melton

LAST November I wrote (but unfortunately did not mention Councillor Swain by name) how he had seen fit to undermine the interests of voters in his ward regarding the Craven Lodge site access road.

Despite a petition of more than 200 signatures, and numerous calls from his constituents, he simply ignored their wishes.

I'm astonished how he manages to get re-elected.

KEITH MELLOR

Baldocks Lane, Melton

I WRITE in response to development committee chairman Councillor Umbers' comments.

1 Both sides should have been given equal opportunity to make their case

2 Councillor Swain's nimby comment showed he was not basing his judgement on the facts of the developer's application

3 The facts presented by residents were hardly (if at all) considered, and hardly (if at all) debated. They were limited to six minutes (two speakers) and no questions.

4 The residents' principal objections – that all traffic would have only one access through the Bowley/Calverley estate and concerns over traffic calming – were clear

5 If you make a decision, you should at least have confidence in it. If you are so uncertain, you should have abstained or recommended deferral.

MR A.E. ASKEW

Bowley Avenue, Melton

MR Swain should not attempt to ridicule the protesters. He should take a close look around Melton and see what some of his predecessors have allowed. It may make him stop and think about what Melton people really want, and not what they have to achieve over the next 20 years.

Where does this figure of 4,200 new homes required over the next 20 years come from? Is this a Government target?

What price progress? Mr Swain should stop, listen and think very seriously about what he is doing – it may better for him use his ears and mouth in the ratio that the good Lord gave them to us.

MIKE RAWSON

Melton

I FULLY agree with Councillor Swain, everyone should have their own views.

However, as a councillor, your views should not take priority over those of the electorate who vote for people to serve on the council and represent their views.

There will be extra traffic and the residents have every right to be concerned. To have their views apparently ignored and be told they have a nimby attitude is wrong.

There were protests about Birch Wood School on the Wimpey Estate for similar reasons. These concerns were also ignored and now we've got speed humps we didn't want, too. They are so unpopular a bus route had to be changed to stop the passengers being bumped about.

It appears democracy has taken a back seat. I wonder what will happen at the next local elections.

J.D. PHILLIPS

Willcox Drive, Melton