3rd October 2006

The Greens yesterday, at a meeting of Full Council, led an attack on Labour for their attempt to centralise the planning function within the City taking the power to determine applications back from the popular Area Committees.

Says Green Councillor Craig Simmons who explained the Green position: "Making decisions at Area Committee leads to better quality decisions and involves local people in the determining the future of their own neighbourhood. Of course, it is sometimes difficult for local Councillors to make difficult decisions in public - but that is no reason to revert to a central planning system which is both anonymous and hurried.  The Greens will continue to campaign for a reformed planning system - but the best option within the constraints of the current system is to make decisions as locally as possible."

Cllr Craig Simmons: 01865 202257