Public deserves stronger voice over planning MPS need to commit to avoiding No Deal We hope that trial of E-scooters will finish

Glorious Gloucestershire Kate Bestwick took this picture of Pittville Pump Room in the autumn sunshine

PLANNING affects nearly everything: where and how we live, work, play and travel; what our towns and countryside look like; protecting the historic and natural heritage - and much else.

So, how planning is done matters a lot. Since 1947, the planning system has consisted of development plans; development control to guide detailed changes, and enforcement to ensure compliance with decisions.

Citizens, and groups like the Civic Society, interact with local planning authorities in this process.

The Government’s recently-issued White Paper, Planning for the Future, proposes to upend this.

It would do away with a lot of development control and replace it with the promise of more involvement in the planning phase.

It also proposes better, speedier local plans, and greater use of design guides and codes.

But we believe the White Paper is fundamentally wrong for three overriding reasons:

There is little supporting evidence for such far-reaching proposals. Tearing down the present system which, for all its faults, is well established and well understood, cannot be justified by the thin arguments offered in the White Paper. Nor are the alleged benefits convincing.

The White Paper focuses on housing almost to the exclusion of everything

Pure selfishness to be letting off fireworks

FOR the last two nights we have had a barrage of fireworks being set off in Quedgeley.

Local pets are petrified, we have to shut our dog in our bedroom with all the curtains drawn and windows shut.

Why am I complaining? Because it is October 30. Six days before Guy Fawkes Night.

These selfish people are the ones who think they can do anything they want, with no regards to others.

This is why this virus will never go away.

Pure selfishness.

P Ponting else. Of course, there is a national housing crisis, but planning is about much more than housing. Its treatment of climate change, the crisis for nature and public health issues – all of which planning can help ameliorate – is dreadfully superficial.

The White Paper would deny people the chance to comment on the details of schemes, reduce rather than increase citizens’ voice in the planning process, and weaken the hand of local authorities dealing with pressures from developers. Whatever the rhetoric in the White Paper, the people will be the losers.

Our 32-page report (see cheltenhamcivicsociety.org.uk) makes detailed suggestions for a better approach.

We call for a fundamental re-think of the Government’s plans.

We welcome the opportunity for earlier and more meaningful engagement, but that involvement must continue throughout the planning process.

The planning system must be resourced properly, including staffing, investment in continuous professional development, and provision of sufficient time and resources to enable meaningful community involvement.

Planning may need to change, but this is not the way to do it.

The public deserves and demands a stronger voice in planning. Organisations such as ours help to make that voice heard.

Andrew Booton Chairman, Cheltenham Civic Society

No need to be so rude over rules reminder

MY husband and I entered a lift in Regent Arcade to return to our car on the third floor.

A lady with a pushchair and two children attempted to join us in the lift and I politely informed her that this is not allowed as she was not part of our household .

She rudely replied that we should use the escalator and free up the lift for people with pushchairs.

I am 75 and my husband is 80 so I believe we qualify to use the lift. Why do people object when you are only reminding them of safe practice?

Pam Beston

WE need MPS to urgently commit to a pledge for a Real Deal with the EU.

The UK has left the European Union and now we need to secure our future relations with Europe so that we “prosper mightily” (to use the Prime Minister’s words) and avoid the catastrophe of a ‘No Deal’ crash-out.

The UK and the EU have entered the final phase of negotiations.

Talks are not just about trade, critically important though that is.

They cover everything: security, food standards, health, education, employment, research, supply chains and fishing arrangements.

The risk is that the talks will break down. That will mean No Deal – a catastrophe on top of the continuing nightmare of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All Tory MPS promised us an “oven ready” deal but where is it?

The UK needs a ‘Real Deal’ with the EU and needs our MPS to confirm their commitment to achieving this.

And not just any old deal – Australian, Canadian, Mongolian, or Ruritanian – but one that recognises the fundamental principles of civilised life.

How else can the UK emerge safely

from Covid-19 with any prospect of a brighter future?

That’s why MPS need to deliver the following vital ingredients for any deal. They need to:

keep today’s high food, labour, and environmental standards

preserve tariff-free trade and visa-less travel

» maintain membership of Europe’s apprenticeship and education schemes

keep us safe and secure by continuing our link with Europol

enable scientists to continue participation in European research.

Such a deal would help to keep the UK strong – and united

A ‘No Deal’ risks the break-up of the United Kingdom. Nobody voted for that. Time is of the essence as the transition period runs out at the end of this year. If, by then, the UK and the EU have not agreed terms for their future there will be a ‘No Deal’ catastrophe.

With a ‘No Deal’ or a bad deal, we can expect delays of food and medicines, increased prices, threats to business and agriculture and complicated travel to and from the continent.

All this at a time when the government’s energies should be focused on getting us as safely as possible through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sarah Moliver

THE NFBUK welcomes the news that the Liberal Democrat party in Gloucester are voicing concerns about the use of E-scooters placed in Gloucester by the Zwings organisation.

The serious accident in Gloucester on October 17 2020 highlights the dangers that E-scooters are to their users as well as the pedestrians in city streets and to other road users.

The NFBUK wrote to the leaders of Gloucester City and County councils warning of the dangers of E-scooters but this has not been heeded.

No consultation was made with the NFBUK who have been dealing with the County Council and City Council from 2014 on road safety matters in relation to pedestrians especially the blind and partially sighted.

I have been told E-scooters were designed to cut out if two people stood on them, but the scooter involved in the accident in Gloucester was being ridden by two people.

It would be interesting to learn if there is a design fault with the Zwing e-scooters?

The NFBUK have witnessed this behaviour in other town and cities where other rentable E-scooter models are in use and are very worried about rider and pedestrian safety.

If one looks on social media one can find many examples of very serious E-scooter accidents worldwide.

They are dangerous to road users, and on pedestrian areas they are dangerous to walkers of all ages.

Given this is a trial in Gloucester, the NFBUK are hoping Gloucester County Council will retract the contract with Zwing for the safety of all who use Gloucester and other areas of the county.

Bill Waddell Area Representative of the National Federation of the Blind of the UK Vice President of NFBUK

Hypocrisy is never far away for Government

IT was good to hear the government calling the over-60s elderly and vulnerable when it comes to the corona virus. Yet when it comes to the state pension they are all young and fit enough to work till 66 and over. Hypocrisy is never far away from Johnson and his flagging Government. Shaun Shute Gloucester