THE story about residents’ anger over flats in Lowerhouses does show up one problem with modern life ... and that’s apathy.

Neighbours are angry at the size of the flats now being built on Lowerhouses Lane as part of a new affordable homes scheme but admit that only about four people turned up for the consultation.

The residents claim there was a lack of consultation, but the council says it has followed the correct procedures and people had the opportunity to comment as part of the planning process.

The bottom line is that planning schemes are advertised locally – especially with the proposals tied to lamp-posts – and people need to check out anything they spot, look deeper into it and then make their objections.

Those objections may not always be successful, but once a building is being constructed it’s way too late and they are then completely powerless to intervene and stop it.