GOVERNMENT guidelines for the preparation of the Local Development Framework (the LDF) say that councils have a duty to do so in a way that involves the public and builds support for the end result.

So why, in Kirklees, are we always left with the feeling that our council have excluded us, ignored us and used the process to their own advantage, whatever that may be?

Why do we always feel that, once elected, they forget the people who elected them?

Next Tuesday’s extraordinary council meeting is fairly typical, in that they are ramming the LDF through with unseemly haste, telling the public as little as they can, as late as they can.

It isn’t fair and it isn’t democracy in that the National Planning Policy Framework, which will set the guidelines for preparation of the LDF, is still two or three weeks away from publication by the Government.

So why are they doing it?

Kirklees Community Action Network has organised a march and rally, starting at 11am on Saturday (March 3) in St George’s Square to protest about what the council are intent on doing to our communities, by ratifying the LDF as it stands.

We invite all people who are concerned about Kirklees Council’s plans for unnecessary, undeliverable and unsustainable development over the next 18 years to join us.

People who wish to see regeneration of our decaying urban environment given strong priority over the wanton destruction of the green belt, green fields and the natural environment.

The more people who come along the more impact it will have.

We would also urge everyone to turn up to the council meeting (5pm) and make your views known.

Information about the council meeting is available at: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning/localdevelopment/localdev.shtml

If you wish to speak at the meeting for five minutes you will need to register with Andrea Woodside: andrea.woodside@kirklees.gov.uk or 01484 221712 by Friday March 2 at the latest.

Robert Bamforth

Kirklees Community Action Network

Spare our green fields

I CONTINUE to be extremely concerned about the persistent desire of Kirklees Council to develop several hundred acres of local green field sites.

In particular, elected members need to listen and attend to residents’ concerns about the huge proposal to construct a commercial and industrial park on green land at the entrance to Clayton West.

Frankly this will be an unsightly blight on the landscape and, moreover, the resulting weight of traffic and congestion on the A636 approach will be a catastrophe.

To repeat my considered opinion: the council’s long-term development plan to affect and spoil so much green belt land is unwanted. My neighbours are in accord.

Christopher Irving

Clayton West

War games in the wood

A PLAN by Colne Valley Beagles to use Butternab/Delves Wood for war games using air-powered replica firearms is seriously jeopardising the good relations which have existed for decades between local residents and the Hunt.

The wood is ancient woodland, covered by tree protection orders, includes a public right of way and is a haven for wildlife.

But ‘games’, which I understand will involve up to 80 people using weapons so powerful that they have to wear protective clothing and masks, could take place up to 28 times each year.

The attendant noise, disruption and car parking appear not to have been addressed by the Hunt, who have not consulted local residents or user groups or volunteered any information.

If the scheme is to raise funds and manage the wood more satisfactorily there are far better ways than this desperate measure.

Have the Hunt considered a Friends group which would involve local people rather than ignore them? The Friends of Beaumont Park rescued the park from decline and transformed it into a popular award winner. Nearby, the Friends of Dean Wood successfully help to maintain that area.

A Friends of Delves Wood, which could work with these other Friends groups, would be eligible for charitable status opening the way for funding from several sources including the regional lottery fund and the Woodland Trust which runs the Community Woodland Network.

It is not too late for the Hunt to reconsider and they should be urged to do so.

The comment from the Joint Hunt Master to the Examiner: “We own the wood and what we do with our property should be of no concern to those people who live nearby” does not inspire much hope.

Even so, everyone who cares about this important woodland should lobby the Hunt to think again.

Michael Fay

Beaumont Park

NHS privatisation

I SEE Tories are rallying round health secretary Andrew Lansley to support his decimation of the NHS. That includes my MP, Jason McCartney.

Mr Lansley describes opposition to the NHS Bill as ‘spiteful politics’. That phrase was used by him during a debate brought about by Labour members to find out why the Liberal Democrat leadership are now trying a little last minute watering down, even though Nick Clegg appears in the Bill as a supporter.

The truth is, of course, that even if Liberal Democrats succeed in making minor changes, this Bill will still enable 49% of our hospitals, built with our money, to be handed over to private firms. The only ‘spiteful politics’ I can see in this Bill is the Tory ideology that hates the public sector and is determined to privatise everything.

Anne Baldwin

Holmfirth

Supermarket support

AS a long-term resident of Holmfirth, I am incensed by the tactics employed by the group Keep Holmfirth Special and local shopkeepers over the recent application by Tesco to build a supermarket on the old Midlothian garage site.

These tactics are aimed at denying the residents of Holmfirth easier access to a decent sized supermarket.

Given that Keep Holmfirth Special started out as Holmfirth Against Tesco, how could it ever present a balanced argument for or on behalf of the majority of residents? Neither Keep Holmfirth Special nor local shopkeepers have any mandate to speak on behalf of Holmfirth residents.

Of course Holmfirth is special but, regrettably, it is not the town centre that makes it special – it is the beautiful countryside within which it sits.

My strong view is that a new supermarket, as proposed by Tesco, with its associated infrastructure improvements, will help regenerate Holmfirth, and bring additional trade in from surrounding areas.

I speak for myself, but am heartened by the efforts that Holme Valley Voices (HVV), are making to have supporters’ views heard and, for that reason, have given my support to HVV.

It does, however, concern me that allegations are being made that individuals in HVV are somehow connected to Tesco. There is no affiliation between HVV and Tesco and we are certainly not ‘in their pockets’.

I for one would be equally vocal if the proposed development of the Midlothian site was for any other supermarket chain.

Finally, in my opinion, Tesco could do a better job of selling its proposals to residents, and it’s not HVV’s role to do their job for them. We simply want a good supermarket so, Tesco, let’s see the benefits you have to offer Holmfirth. The recent public meeting showed overwhelming support for your proposals, so you are pushing on an open door. You need to strengthen your position by engaging more closely with residents.

Similarly, councillors, please do not ignore the strength of public opinion. It only needs an opposition candidate to canvass on the ‘pro-supermarket’ ticket, and you could well be in trouble.

Brian Rooks

Upperthong

Running for research

WORLD Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) is offering runners the chance to sign up for one of the most prestigious road races of the year – the British 10k in London.

This year the race takes place when the capital is in the midst of Diamond Jubilee celebrations and Olympic preparations, giving the event a unique atmosphere.

WCRF has a limited number of places for runners for the Sunday, July 8 event, which takes in sights including Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Downing Street.

Last year more than 25,000 runners took part, cheered on by tens of thousands of onlookers. And this year the race is expected to sell-out in record time.

WCRF is calling on runners who can raise money for our cancer prevention research and education programmes to sign up for the race by emailing events@wcrf.org, visiting our website at www.wcrf-uk.org/signup or calling 020 7343 4200.

Lucy Duxbury

Fundraising Co-ordinator, WCRF