Challenge the numbers

Following the cabinet meeting at WDC council chambers on Monday 20th October, like many other councillors I felt that it was undemocratic to restrict council members to speak in only 60 seconds. Most councillors had very important statements to make but this was cut short by this 60 second rule.

I also felt that it should be voted on by the full council i.e. 60 members as opposed to the eight members of the cabinet.

I thought after the Scottish referendum there would be more control given to local authorities. But it was very apparent that the cabinet felt that their hands were tied and that he had to approve these reserve sites.

A statement made by Cllr Scott was that these reserve sites have been under consideration for quite a few years, however I believe when they were considered that there was no thought of developing the old sewer works in Wycombe Marsh. This is now a high density development and I believe that Wycombe Marsh and the Loudwater area is now well and truly over-developed.

I believe that WDC should not bow to pressure from national government and that we should challenge the numbers that Wycombe district have to build.

I firmly believe that High Wycombe town and the surrounding area has now reached saturation point and no further development should take place.

On a personal note I am very concerned about the area I represent, which I have always lived in. As a fellow councillor said to me 'Don't let them Wycombe Marsh-ize Booker', in other words don't let them do what they have done to the east side of High Wycombe. Booker and Cressex is still an attractive area to work, live and play and I am petrified that this is going to be destroyed. – Cllr Brian Pearce, Booker and Cressex, WDC