LETTER: Steps to keep public at bay

It is considering amending the council’s so-called ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ in planning to ensure there is even less community involvement in planning.

The Cabinet is being asked to agree to stop sending out letters to neighbours notifying them of planning applications.

This comes on top of their recent decision to charge local residents for getting routine planning advice – which they thought they already paid for through their local taxes.

It seems that the council is now trying to make sure that residents don’t know what’s going on at all.

Site notices will be put up, there will sometimes be adverts in the local paper and you can get notifications via the internet – if you’ve previously told the council you want to receive them.

Site notices will be of little use to house-bound residents.

Internet advice will be of little benefit to those without a computer. Adverts in the local paper will be of little benefit to those who can’t access the local paper or don’t scour the public notices section in the paper on the off chance that somebody is planning to ruin their life.

This measure will further undermine trust in our local planning system.

It is clearly undemocratic and councillors should not be giving these proposals house room.

Chris Lewcock

Secretary

Hastings and Rye Liberal Democrats

Archery Road

St Leonards

Have you checked out our new Christmas section yet?

It’s packed with ideas and tips to ensure you make the most out of the festive season.

There’s recipes, suggestions for presents and everything from choosing your tree to recycling your packaging and paper.

Go to www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/christmas/