ERIC PICKLES - HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME FOR HOOK NORTON

Professional politicians are often accused of acting in their own interests in order to ensure they are still in a job at the next election.

Nobody can accuse Eric Pickles of this. He is single-handedly attempting to ensure that there will be NO CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT after the next election. 

The Cotswold village of Hook Norton, just 10 miles from the Prime Minister's own home, has just fought and lost a battle over green-field development against Taylor Wimpey. 

Actually, the villagers WON the planning arguments but Eric Pickles overturned the decision so now they face a sudden 10% increase in village size. Ten percent may not seem many but it represents 70 new houses with 70 new families in a village where the school is full. 

Over 90% of villagers were against the development but Eric Pickles, Champion of Localism, decided that they must all be thick, stupid and not to be considered. They are like ants to be trodden on as insignificant creatures because HE, the GREAT ERIC PICKLES, knows best. 

Why was he able to punish the villagers in such a way? ... Because the local council did NOT have a 5-year housing plan in place. The villagers had NO CONTROL over the local council's progress on the 5-year plan so WHY SHOULD THEY BE PUNISHED?

Rural landscapes, rural villages, and the rural way of life are part of Britain's heritage. Once destroyed it can never be restored. Unlike National Trust properties which are maintained as historic relics, the rural way of life and rural villages are alive and kicking. Nobody is asking for them to be preserved unchanged in perpetuity but they need to be allowed to grow organically. 

Villages evolve. Residents die and vacate houses for younger families. There is no necessity to automatically build houses which change the village character. To do this destroys the very thing which makes people want to live there.

What people find particularly insulting is when politicians, who are elected to SERVE THE PEOPLE decide, like Eric Pickles and Nick Boles, that THEY KNOW BEST. The next election will show who DOES know best!

Should this rural landscape be changed from a food-producing area into

yet another housing development. When top grade farmland is gone, 

where will our food come from?   Population is 67 million & growing!

BALDWINS GATE faces an even bigger onslaught. A development that would increase the village by a third and the population by 50%. 

I have lived in the village for 38 years. We were one of the youngest couples on our avenue when we moved in but gradually, residents have died or moved into care-homes, vacating their houses for younger people. Now I am one of the "older" residents. Rejuvenating a village can not be used as an excuse for destroying it. 

If Pickles & Co can over-ride the wishes of the people and their elected representatives on planning committees, then THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY!!!