Campaign letter for Blair

[Guest guest]

Got this from FOE - feel free to change the wording. Submissions must

be made by 15th March, so need to hurry!

 

Its a letter to oppose a reform in the planning laws that would mean

we lose our right to oppose plans (does that make sense?). Its this

kind of right to express opposition to building plans that prevented

an application by Cambridge Uni for a new animal house (for breeding

vivisection victims). There's more info at the FOE site:

www.foe.org.uk

 

--

Rob

 

------------------------->8---snip-----8<-----------

[Your Name and address]

 

Prime Minister Tony Blair

10 Downing Street

London

SW1A 2AA

 

Dear Prime Minister,

 

I am writing to express grave concern about the Government " reforms "

of national and local planning. I believe the Government's proposals

are undemocratic and unfair.

 

In particular I am shocked that people will now be denied the right

to be heard at important inquiries into local land-use (local plan

inquiries) and I urge you to reverse this decision. I believe public

participation can work only if people have legally enforceable rights.

 

I also understand the Government proposes that planning powers are

taken away from directly elected councils and given to unelected

regional planning bodies. This flies in the face of the democratic

principles I thought your Government embraced. Again, I urge you to

reconsider.

 

In summary, I feel the proposals have been drafted under pressure

from business interests. Of course we want to live in a healthy local

economy. But taking away our right to object just so that businesses

can increase profits is wrong. Surely there are fairer ways to reform

the planning process.

 

Please let me know your answer to my concerns.

 

Yours sincerely

 

[Your Name]