I was impressed by Cllr Caborn's presentation at last night's meeting in Lapworth Village hall, because it seems that his department is doing a very competent job in working out a plan to satisfy HMG's demands for new developments to accommodate an increase in population during the coming 15 years.

Having said that, it seems to me that the Government's instructions are unwarranted, because I do not believe that there is a need for such an increase in population, nor do I believe that there is a need for the new HS2 railway. I understand that it is not in WDC's remit to question either of these fundamental requirements, so it is essential that the general public should question them; they must not be taken as read.


In preparing the Local Plan, WDC have been instructed to take no notice of HS2, but the new railway line will have a major impact on the environment and on the transport services available in the region, for which WDC must offer credible plans. WDC cannot prepare a credible plan with this constraint.

It is grossly unfair to expect any planning authority to carry out a long-term plan without questioning at least these two major points. If sensible action were taken to restrain immigration and to design a rail service which is accessible to ordinary people (as distinct from HS2, which will only be used by the well-off) WDC's plan would be very different.