Not about choice

How comforting this must be for those communities threatened, to feel that their opinions will count.

Consultation is not about providing a choice.

Decisions about which locations will bear the brunt have probably been made.

It is a process merely designed to make people feel they have contributed to those decisions but we should, perhaps, not be surprised, given the backcloth of growing cynicism of the motives of our councils, that the local populace treats such proposals with disdain?

In Angmering, we are threatened with close on 500 homes, in addition to those already built on Bramley Green.

This will impose intolerable strain on roads, infrastructure and schools. And where are the jobs for the increased population?

Simple, according to Arun – they’ll approve plans for light industrial sites as well. Problem solved. Yet more destruction of the local environment.

Local government, at all levels, too easily forgets that its duty is to serve the electorate.

Whilst there are understandable pressures from central government, which influence this at county and district level, there is no excuse at the sharp end – the parish council.

Our parish council, in Angmering, is steadfast in its refusal to state clearly its position for fear, apparently, of prejudicing the outcome of any planning application. A source of much frustration for local residents.

Derek Dainton

The Cottrells

Angmering