ANGRY residents have started a petition to issue a vote of no confidence against the leading councillors who decided to release five areas of land for development last week.

Started by a Save Slate Meadow campaigner, the online petition has already been signed by more than 400 people after being started on Wednesday, October 22.

Tom Dredge said the decision was ‘undemocratic’ and he felt ‘let down’ that such a big decision was only made by the Conservative Party cabinet members.

He said: “I am not disappointed with their decision, but it is more the way they came to that decision.

“I think the way they voted was very undemocratic, and it appears what was said during the meeting was not taken into account when the eight conservative councillors made their decision.

“What was the point in holding a public consultation when you are not going to consider the views of any of the people who responded?

“Surely our councillors should be representing our views.”

In the petition, Mr Dredge is asking residents to hold all eight members of the cabinet to account including WDC leader, Cllr Richard Scott and Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability, Cllr Neil Marshall.

During the meeting on Monday, October 20, councillors outside of the cabinet were each given 60 seconds to share their views, with many criticising the imposed time limit.

However, cabinet members have always said it is within the constitution for the cabinet members to vote on such decisions as they did when plans for a new sports stadium in Wycombe Air Park were proposed. While signing the e-petition, many members of the public, whose surnames were not included on the public website, had their say.

Ian M said: “The Conservative leadership have shown an utter disdain for local democracy, even some of their own back benchers are appalled.

“All 60 councillors should have been given a say and a recorded vote taken.”

While Joe P said: “Sometimes things have to stop and this is one of them.”

To view the petition, please visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/WDC