ARE we witnessing the death of democracy here?

Nobody wants or needs the houses proposed in the Colne Valley yet you elected and non-elected representatives go ahead willy nilly with the proposed destruction of the valley’s lungs and wildlife corridors.

This is the tail wagging the dog!

You seem to have forgotten that we pay you to represent us. That is democracy. Have you forgotten that we already have proposals at Clough Mill, The Globe, the site of Bailey’s Textile engineers in Slaithwaite, Longfield Dye works, Black Rock Mill and Crosland Park in Linthwaite?

I’m not going to mention the lack of infrastructue as I’m sure that will be the basis of other comments and should, of course, be obvious.

We have seen what happens when a developer gets hold of land in Linthwaite, moving footpaths and waiving the rules to suit and I would not wish that upon anyone.

Come on and reject these proposals.

Stand up for your constituents and show the Government we want consensus politics.

Tony and Linda Edwards

Linthwaite

Decision-making anger

NOW I know why St George’s Square is bomb site and monstrosities are erected all over Kirklees.

It’s Kirklees Council Planning Sub committee and I have seen it at work.

What happens is they have a little bus ride to the sites to be discussed, enjoy a nice lunch paid for by ratepayers and then turn up to the meeting usually late.

They then listen to presentations by representatives of the various departments such as traffic and planning.

At the meeting to decide the fate of Black Rock Mill, one such representative had written in his report that the mill was a former cotton mill.

Though he later amended this amazing error, it did raise doubts in other areas such as his assertion that areas of residents’ concerns had been met.

Other interested parties – the people directly affected by any decision made – are then given three minutes to speak and the committee decides.

There is no opportunity to question any inaccuracies in the presentations or challenge the committee’s views when they are made.

Such was the anger at ludicrously blasé assertions by the traffic manager that the chairman suspended the meeting for five minutes.

I was told by the legal officer at this point to trust the council members!

Well I did and they betrayed the trust. They voted in favour of the application.

Such is the way of local democracy. It is really a bit of a joke at ratepayer’s expense. Sadly, I didn’t see the funny side of it.

Trevor Woolley

Linthwaite

Think of the young

I NOTICED that the protesters at the new homes to be built in Linthwaite meeting were of a elderly generation.

Have they forgotten when they were young looking for a nice home in a nice area – which Linthwaite is – and how hard it can be? We are a nation of self-interest moaners and as a resident of Linthwaite I, for one, back the council in their decision.

Pensioner

Linthwaite

Black Rock homes are OK

I LIVE on Waingate in Linthwaite and my back garden looks directly onto the main building of Black Rock Mills.

To be quite honest it is an eyesore and I welcome the proposals for this development.

The site is brownfield and desperately needs developing.

Yes, there will be access problems and increased traffic, but there is a simple solution.

I have always said that if a householder has no off street parking you should not have a car.

The narrow roads are only made this way by on street parking. Double yellow lines the length of Waingate, Stones Lane and Chapel Hill would help.

This would also stop the school run at the busiest time of day when lazy parents who only live 100 yards away drive their offspring to school and block the road to gridlock.

What really needs fighting is building on Green Belt, not the regeneration of an eyesore of a mill and derelict dangerous buildings.

As for Mr Baxter’s claim that he looks over the biggest portion of the mill I have a few things to say. Your house looks over Black Rock Farm. Swap your house for mine?

Steve Oldroyd

Waingate, Linthwaite

Cuts in council services

IN reply to Clr Stanfield’s comments about budgets and library closures, I would like to remind her that the budget voted in on February 25 setting the Council Tax was a Lib/Lab joint budget – not one Conservative Councillor voted for it.

As for no money in our budget to save closing libraries, we had no intention of closing any so why would we need to put anything in?

The Conservative budget gave no rise in Council Tax from last year.

It also gave a pensioner discount not means tested, a recession-fighting fund to help to counter your Labour partner Government’s handling of the economy and the devastating effect its having on us all.

You both chose to raise the Council Tax and other charges and, in the same breath, promise no service cuts.

What are closing libraries and Tourist Information Centres about? Are these not cuts in service? You are being economical with the truth and Joe Public is no mug.

You will reap your reward at the ballot box!

Clr Kenneth Sims

Holme Valley

Disgust over decision

I AM writing to register my disgust at the

move to close New Mill Library.

Hypocrisy on the part of those responsible for this action is being pushed into the faces of the many people who use and value this service.

If education, community spirit and maintenance of standards of living are of any concern whatsoever to this council, I urge them to reverse this appalling decision.

The fact that they have even considered removing this popular and healthy facility reflects disgracefully on them.

Again, I ask that they rescue some credibility and allow the large number people of all ages who use the library to continue enjoying its many benefits.

Patrick Addinall

Huddersfield

Direct action for library

AT a time when many people struggle with literacy and there is a need to campaign against the mind-deadening idiocy of consumer culture and Hollywood, Kirklees Council should be promoting and extending library provision and not shutting making cuts.

It is heartening though to see the resistance to Kirklees plans to close New Mill library and such resistance is the only way.

In Almondbury, the local library was saved by an uproar among villagers expressed in no uncertain terms at two public meetings and a petition presented to council – but we were prepared to go all the way if necessary.

If the residents of New Mill want to secure their library for future generations, they have to be prepared to do battle beyond the parameters that their local councillors would permit and mobilise the whole community to take direct action and occupy the library if necessary.

As long as people continue to accept the dictates of the politicians then our services will be eroded by all the major parties and only by a tumult of the people will our services be secure.

Ian Brooke

Almondbury

David the unsung hero

LAST week I read with sadness the death of a former school mate and friend, David Merriman.

I grew up with David in the Mirfield area and went to the then Secondary Modern School. David was always an easy going sort of guy and was always willing to offer a helping hand where needed.

He was always interested in football and we later left school to become team-mates for Mirfield United and at Battyeford Wanderers.

It does not surprise me in the least that people remember him as a person you could always rely on to get things done.

He was one of the unsung heroes of local football.

I will remember him with affection and he will be sadly missed.

Alan R Berry

Waterloo

You will be astonished

MAY I through your columns remind everyone who is interested that we are holding a public meeting at the Methodist Mission in Lord Street tomorrow at 8pm to protest at Kirklees Council’s decision to close the Huddersfield tourist information centre in September.

We will be revealing the Council’s

extraordinary plans to drastically reduce the service being given by the centre in Albion Street.

You will be astonished.

Stanley Solomons

Cowcliffe