Fiona Strang writes that 'if the government is allowed to take local people out of the planning process our lives will be changed for the worse' ( 'We must fight for our planning right or face disaster' Guardian, December 13).
Without wishing to sound too cynical, but hasn't the government done that already.
Decisions are frequently made at local level, concerning important developments, which the government sees fit to call in.
Anything that involves big business and profit for the all-important economy is automatically put above the right to a decent quality of life one only has to reflect on the awful Terminal 5 decision for proof of that.
The government has ridden roughshod over residents and councillors on numerous occasions using dubious planning law, so at least it is showing its hand by announcing such reforms.
Voters can then see for themselves, then, just how effective Labour has become.
Tony Arbour is to be applauded for attempting to fight against the reforms on our behalf but without wanting to sound like a defeatist, I doubt whether he will get very far.
Louise Goodridge
Station Road
Ashford
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