‘Council not listening’

HOW can we take Arun District Council cabinet member for planning Ricky Bower’s statement seriously, concerning Arun’s local plan and public consultation (Gazette, July 19)?

He stated that the consultation process was an important opportunity for communities and local businesses to influence how their community would develop over the next 14 years, and people were encouraged to submit their ideas and comments to the council.

It is quite clear that the council does not want to listen to the people‘s comments, as it has blatantly ignored the results of the recent poll in Angmering, which showed that a large proportion of the village did not want large-scale housing development. This is just another case of the council not listening to the people it is supposed to represent.

I think if the council continues to ignore letters and opinion polls, the local government ombudsman should be approached.

Patrick Mason

The Martlets

Rustington