Democracy? Not in our back yard!

The DCC rejected the Newbridge park and ride extension and BRT planning application on 8 July 2009. However, 'legal brains' have been wracked and there is to be another debate on Wednesday 5 August.

Many residents had planned to go away but have given up any thoughts of a summer holiday for fear of what the Council will sneak through while they are away. When the DCC reconsiders the application surely members can only confirm their previous decision and refuse to permit.

This application, along with the Bathampton Meadows proposal, is now being considered by the Government Office for the South West. Taking account of the continual deferments by the DCC alongside the incompetence of the Applicant, presumably the GoSW will consider that B&NES Council are incapable of implementing such a scheme and call it in it whatever decision is reached on 5 August. (Remember the Bath Spa fiasco?)

Residents have been told that the application will be considered on 'planning grounds' only and that the question of money is not material. Why then are Councillors being pressurized into approving the scheme without delay, and told if not passed they will lose the opportunity of obtaining central government funding?

We have had this proposal hanging over us for some two years and it is time it was put to bed once and for all. The DCC must refuse the application if they are to retain any semblance of dignity.

This date couldn't be more inconvenient for members of the public and Councillors alike. Many are away and of course it is the middle of the school holiday period. It is understood that the DCC Chairman, Cllr. Les Kew, has the authority to postpone the discussion to a later date; however, this option has not been taken up.

Yet again the electorate has been ignored and the bullying tactics of the Council have come into force. In the interests of fair play and transparency, or even as a good PR exercise, just once B&NES Council could have shown some common sense and listened.