[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11921000Local Planning Powers - and an Elected Mayor for Wakey![/url

Localism is very much the hot topic among Eric Pickles Department at the moment. Just like it was "social mobility" this time last year with the old regime. Themes come & themes go, but what's interesting to anyone with a passing interest in both politics and our development is how the current theme ties in perfectly with what we require from the SoS. Which is why I (and others) have been nervous but positive.

On a side note; "David Hinchliffe for Mayor of Wakefield" join the campaign!!!!

I want him to just make the decision (positive of course) and not delay it by passing it back to 'local people' for a vote - this would be just what the opposition groups would want, after a PI.

Why would they want that? They would lose the numbers battle everytime. They just want to delay it in the hope we go away.
Well that won't happen. We will still be here PI or no PI. We have the truth on our side, we should fear neither outcome because our reasons for this project are just.

That said I honestly think he will make a move on this in the coming week, next latest.

I thought Tories were against more decentralisation. Odd bunch that blue lot.

Don't forget Mrs T selling tennants their council homes did more for social mobility than uncle Tonys new labour mob.
David Hichliffe for wakey mayor, yeah I'll go for that, seems like a sensible shout!!

she did that because of the repairs needed to upgrade council houses would of cost the tax payer more to do it,
now we have a lack of property for young families on lower income and end up using rented accommodation and hotels costing us more,

that was the start of sod you jack I'm looking after number one

SWC sensible post? What's the world coming to??

I tell you what if EP does come through I will go as far as to say that his lot can have my vote outright next time, instead of buying it in the coalition tendering process!

Funny how time (and employment after university) turn you from a Che Guevara T-Shirt wearing "Wolfy" throw back into a middle of the road/slightly right Tory! As I said if they give us the nod I will happily break 100 years of family tradition and vote for them.

Anyways back onto David Hinchliffe.

David I know your an avid reader (/silver surfer

) so I hope you take up my plea!

You would have a great backing from the RL community. With the new government signalling a bigger influence for local government Wakefield need's people like you back in office!

A true Knight of the Wakefield District!

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She did it because if you make someone a home-owner, you make them a capitalist and less likely to strike, because you have suddenly got something to lose.

and all those shares in gas, water and electric that they sold us that was ours in the first place





talk about poking a hornets nest with a stick

She did it is as part of her grand plan to destroy the working class, most of which was successful.

I remember the debate about whether she should or shouldn't get a state funeral; personally, I'd be happy if they install either a dance floor or a urinal at her grave - I could make good use of either.

Back OT - this localism stuff could easily become a nimby's charter; the very people who are anti just about everything also tend to be the ones who will have the time, knowledge and resources to form themselves into a sufficiently organised group to block new developments that they don't like the look of.

I hope Dave hasn't read your previous post, you know, the one about how you could vote Tory now you're earning a few quid, have to pay taxes, and can't wear those student chic t-shirts to work.

Far from it because everything still would have to go before the local council. All the NIMBY's would get is a greater consultation period. Localism by definition means power residing with local authorities. If the NIMBY's ran the show (shudder) why would we go to great expense of electing individuals for council? We could just go down the skin clinic and ask our mate what we should do! He seems to be the fountain of all knowledge and right in the district!- There's wisdom in acne!

He resides in Sandal too, he wouldn't dare....



Any how the mayoral post should be a cross party affair. In terms of Wakefield; I don't care who your party political loyalty is to, as long as you have the interests of the city and its future development at heart.

And to be fair did I not say that voting Tory is almost dependant on NM getting the green light. I need new party anyway after years of messing round with the Lib Dems.

Well said! I tell you what I wouldnt wee on her if she was on fire....

OH yes I would love to after a long night on the lash

TRB for mayor!!! The campaign starts here!!!

Absolutely. The article says very little about how the proposed system would work, but the statement refering to local groups being able to reject developments, or people being allowed to build without planning permission, seems a very dangerous precedent for me. In fact, it seems completely unworkable... but it'll remove a whole load of paperwork from Eric's desk and allow him to devote his full attention to the breakfast buffet.

If you want my opinion on this it is... a croc of sh11te! Now, we have not seen the white paper yet, but it looks to be a very cynical ploy by the Coalition to effectively doom less affluent communities to potential unsuitable development while allowing affluent areas to block any developments in their neighbourhood... full of Tory voters!

This perception that there is red tape and therefore cost for house extension and conservatory's planning applications etc is absolute crap. Nearly ALL planning applications are dealt with by delegated powers and never see a planning committee. It is unclear what the national average for planning applications decided under delegated powers is, but most local authorities quote between 85% and 95%, so around 90% of applications would seem to be a good guess! So 90% of ALL applications are dealt with purely by a planning officer and never see the committee room door and I understand that local authorities set the planning fees on the basis of the costs generally associated with the development sizes to recover costs. This could be just a way of making something look like reform but in reality they are doing nothing of the sort.

It will be interesting to see how the construction (and the major house builders) industry react to the actual white paper... if they don't like it, Eric will very quickly know all about it and it could be yet another Coalition Hot Potato!

If you want anything built, you'd prob have to bribe these groups.