At least the new Lib Dem administration held a meeting in public where those residents who could attend did.

Under the present county structure, which was forced upon us by the bid of the previous Labour administration and its acceptance by Hazel Blears of the DCLG, the Northumberland County Council remains in force until April 1, 2009, and any planning committee so formed has to be made up of members from all over the county and its meetings held at County Hall.

---

Subscribe to News Post Leader - Letters by e-mail

---

No residents were ignored as the committee members had all the papers in front of them, which contained the officers' recommendations to grant approval.

Unfortunately, the committee voted seven to six for approval, as two Lib Dem members who would have voted for the refusal of the extension had to declare an interest and leave the chamber because they were deemed to be biased because they were also members of Blyth Valley Development Control Panel which had already recommended refusal of the application.

What took place on Tuesday, July 29, was an open planning meeting where, as far as I know, there was no attempt to bring any undue influence on the members of that countywide planning committee.

The decision as to what happened was taken openly and honestly, which
is how the Lib Dem administration want to run this county.

I too was disappointed with the decision, but enough members from other parts of the county, who had only their planning papers to go on, didn't realise that they would have voted differently if the tip had been on their own doorsteps.

Having said all this I wish Blyth Valley Borough Council all the luck in the world with GONE in getting the application called in through the Article 14 Intervention mechanism and having a public inquiry.

COUNCILLOR
BOBBY NIXON
Lib Dem,
Northumberland
County Council,
Holywell Division.

All correspondence should be e-mailed to Your Say
It should also include a full name, address and daytime telephone number