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Councillors urge support in objection to relaxation of planning law

By Jon Nurse
December 07, 2012

Councillors are urging people to join their objections to relaxing planning rules.

They fear extended development rights for homes and businesses could lead to ‘monstrosities’ being built in the borough.

A national consultation on the Government’s plans ends on Christmas Eve.

Councillor Gary Cowan said: “It is a bad policy which has not been thought through properly and residents need to be aware of its implications.”

Borough councillors unanimously backed a motion submitted by council leader Cllr David Lee expressing serious concerns over the Government proposals, at a full council meeting on Thursday, November 22.

The consultation document can be found by going to www.gov.uk and following the links.

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Most recent user comments 12 of 12

I will simply respond with:

"I object the developers making deals with our councils"; "Elms field - destruction thereof"; "so the council want to be judge and jury"; "65% against expects us to to support its views on relaxing planning rules"; "So WBC Councillors know best and will look after our District. Really"; "WBC should listen to the local community which funds it".

Not sure how any of these comments which are all attacking the council in one form or another actually indicate lack of support for this proposal!

However I do apologise to Damiano_Tommassi who I should have excluded from my comment. I note his insult but it was not very original and I have been called much worse!

Cllr Keith Baker
15/12/2012 at 18:40

Cllr Baker - well done, you have done exactly what councillors for WBC always seem to do - interpret the facts and comments of residents as you feel fit, irrespective of what they actually are! Damiano_Tommassi is correct that nobody seems to fully support the governments plans, so your comments seem a bit harsh.

Smiffy, Reading
10/12/2012 at 09:59

Cllr. baker; the very first comment on here says "I object strongly to the national government's plans to relax planning laws. how do we support our local council on this?" (I know because I wrote it). Nobody has expressed support for the idea. The comments are all still there, easily read. Seriously, Sir; why are you in public service? You show nothing but disdain for the people of Wokingham whenever you write on this site, and seem incapable of reading what is written. I'm not convinced you have the mentality or intelligence to be involved in any form of government.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
10/12/2012 at 09:30

Dear Cllr Baker, your making assumptions, read the comments and listen that all people are asking. No need to get all political and defensive.

Local Woky, Wokingham
10/12/2012 at 07:15

So all of you appear to support the governments view on allow extended permitted developments based on your comments! I wonder if you actually undestand what a) permitted development rights are and b) what is being proposed.

I guess not one of you know what has been proposed as you would not be commenting on the things you are which are absolutely nothing to do with the proposals. I am sure some of you will now go and find out and tell me I'm wrong!

The reason why this is so wrong is why ALL political parties have supported the motion against this.

Cllr Keith Baker
09/12/2012 at 15:01

There are some strong comments here (which I agree with) WBC should listen to the local community which funds it! Take NOTE WBC...

Local Woky, Wokingham
08/12/2012 at 07:55

So WBC Councillors know best and will look after our District. Really. Look down on the endless steel roof of the new Brakes building which they imposed no Sec 106 on so we, the community have to finance all the infrastructure for and look down on a monstrosity and thank the almighty that someone realises that some powers ought to be taken away from them. One wonders if they are only interested in preserving their empire.

Bingley, Woodley
07/12/2012 at 22:32

So a council that claims 85% support for its Elms Field proposal which is showing on the poll on this site to have 65% against expects us to support its views on relaxing planning rules.

What are a few monstrocities in the borough compared with a complete rape of all the green space in and surrounding Wokingham town?

PoneRana, Wokingham
07/12/2012 at 16:36

So the council just want to be judge and jury. There have been some dubious planning decisions over the years, so not sure there will be any difference!

They are a bit hypocritical though as Councillor Cowan's quote could easily be used in the context of the farce that is waste and recycling collection in Wokingham!

“It is a bad policy which has not been thought through properly and residents need to be aware of its implications.”

Smiffy, Reading
07/12/2012 at 16:17

'They fear extended development rights for homes and businesses could lead to ‘monstrosities’ being built in the borough.'

1. Elms Field - destruction thereof. 2. Peach Place - Identikit facade with no soul.

You support us, then we'll support you. The current plans are dressed up as progress when they are more to do with raising tax revenue.

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
07/12/2012 at 16:00

Not sure. I object the developers making deals with our council where they split the profit, cram the community and increase the rat race. Why not build a granny annex rather than see the kids pay £180k for a 1 bed flat that cost 80 to build and used little of the local work force.

Kaz4Wokingham, Wokingham
07/12/2012 at 15:26

I object strongly to the national government's plans to relax planning laws. how do we support our local council on this? Where's this national consultation?

And how do we object to local decisions...?