It’s beginning to look like the Tories have blown their future; both nationally and locally. David Cameron seems to have lost control of his parliamentary party to maverick right-wingers who despise him for not winning an outright victory in 2010. They voted down reform of the House of Lords. Even moderate Tory MPs, perhaps with […]

I am surprised and disappointed that BAA has decided to fight the Competition Commission yet again. They announced yesterday that they will appeal against a competition tribunal’s ruling that the local airport should be sold. Continued uncertainty is not good for employees and airport users. I would have thought that BAA’s priority would be in gaining passengers […]

I have received a well considered reply from Alan Haselhurst, the local Tory MP, to my support for legislation on the recalling of MPs; forcing them to restand for election if they commit serious misdemeanours. You can read his reply here: Haselhurst_recall. The final paragraph is very well judged. MPs should not be recalled for vindictive reasons; […]

At the prompting of the democracy pressure group Unlock Democracy, I have sent the following message to Sir Alan Haselhurst MP. “I am writing to you regarding the Recall of Elected Representatives Bill, which had its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday 20th January. Democracy is fragile today at a time of […]

Is localism on the march? It’s early days, but a letter (inset) in today’s Telegraph suggests parishioners where I live are less willing to be told what is good for them! There seems to be a growing determination to get stuck into planning at the strategic stage. In the past most people took little notice […]

Today’s “Sunday Telegraph” lists Uttlesford DC as a council planning a stealth tax on gardeners: “Environment Minister Lord Henley wrote to councils earlier this year ordering them to stop backdoor bin charges. They said that such measures can encourage fly-tipping and burning in back gardens. “But four further councils have announced plans to introduce new […]

An unorthodox approach to local planning is the basis of my report for Stansted’s Link magazine in November; to inform residents about current planning developments in Uttlesford: “Planning is a council service that is frequently controversial. The key to avoiding negative public perceptions is openness and transparency at all times; these are enshrined in codes […]

George Monbiot attacks the planning system in today’s Guardian for being loaded against local communities. He says “the interests of people come second to those of profit in a system where developers work hand in glove with government”. He reports that The Telegraph has “uncovered a new cash for access scandal in which property developers […]

It may be possible to retain much of the existing Saffron Walden parliamentary constituency intact. The Electoral Commission’s proposals were posted here. I took along to last night’s meeting of Uttlesford’s electoral working group a scheme which could bring Dunmow and Takeley back into what the commission wants to call North West Essex. This would […]

A fresh and potentially more effective approach to planning may be on the way at Uttlesford DC. Discussions are underway to try to identify more sites across the distict in towns and villages for new homes. The existing supply of planning permissions has fallen over 100 per year short of what is needed in each of the next 5 years. Developers, councillors […]