Slap in the face for local democracy (From Wharfedale Observer)

Slap in the face for local democracy

10:13am Thursday 30th November 2006

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Guiseley has suffered more than most from the upsurge in new housing developments that has taken place around the outskirts of Leeds over the last decade.

Several large employers like the Silver Cross pram factory have moved away or disappeared, leaving industrial sites often rich in history but, almost invariably, doomed to be obliterated to make way for yet more residential schemes - often to the despair of residents already complaining of over-burdened roads and infrastructure.

So it is hard to disagree with the analysis given by Councillor Stuart Andrew (Con, Guiseley and Rawdon) this week that decisions by Government inspectors to allow two more unpopular schemes to proceed is simply a slap in the face to the notion of local democracy. Householders, Aireborough MP Paul Truswell, ward councillors and Aireborough Civic Society had all raised serious concerns about both McCarthy and Stone's 39 sheltered flats scheme, for Oxford Road, and Chartford Homes' plans to build 17 flats, offices and shops on Springfield Works.

But reading a summary of the relative planning inspector's conclusions about either scheme it becomes glaringly apparent that local opinion is given scant, if any, weight in the final decision.

Dim view of Otley's Christmas lights

OTLEY'S Christmas lights were turned on this week - and what a disappointment. Quite apart from the fact that no one could hear what was going on during the official opening- because of some technical difficulties - the displays themselves are less than impressive. Hundreds of people turned out for the ceremony in the Market Place and teleivison soap actor Billy Hartman did a sterling job of making himself heard - without the help of the PA system.

But where was the carol singing and the band? There was one feeble attempt at singing, but that was soon scrapped and the square soon emptied. And as for the displays themselves. The Christmas tree in the Market Square has been pushed into a corner and the rest of the town centre is sparsely decorated with strings of lights and the odd, tatty looking candle. Even Santa simply hangs from lamposts.

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