Let local people decide on Rail Terminals

Chris Lofts campaigning in Blisworth

Chris Lofts, Liberal Democrat candidate for South Northamptonshire, has been out on the campaign trail again. Chris spent part of Friday morning with a visit to Silverstone University Technical College (UTC). Chris made his visit to get a greater understanding of the difficult financial issues facing the whole of education.

Later, Chris and his Lib Dem campaign team were battling with the rain in Roade and Blisworth, where there are plans for massive Rail Freight Terminals. Commenting Chris Lofts said:

“There are two separate proposals, each would in my opinion blight our countryside, as well as damage the quality of life in Roade, Blisworth and Milton Malsor. The traffic generated would badly affect surrounding areas too. There would be even more congestion and air pollution on the M1, and local trunk roads, including the A508, A45, A43 and the A5.”

The Conservative’s want these plans decided centrally, by a Government minister and bureaucrats in London, bypassing local communities and the usual planning process.

Chris Lofts added: “I recently attended a public meeting in Roade, where it was plain there is considerable local opposition to these plans. Our former MP was also there and added her concerns, but overall her views were the same as her Conservative Government; ‘let market forces decide’, and that means, not local people. We need a change of approach and a strong local voice.”

Chris Lofts concluded: “As your MP I would fight to stop Government ignoring local opinion. I’d fight to scrap policies that put developers’ profits before our environment and people’s lives.

As your MP, I wouldn’t be a poodle of Government.

With the Tory landslide, we need a strong opposition, and in South Northamptonshire, I would provide that strong local voice.”

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Towcester gets voice on Planning

Towcester will soon have the Lib Dems represented on South Northants Council’s Development Committee. Following the election of Liberal Democrats last week the Conservatives lose one place on the council’s committee that deals with planning issues.

This is good news for Towcester. Despite our town having the prospect of major development taking place, Towcester has been unrepresented on planning matters for a significant period.

Committee seats are allocated in proportion to the number of seats held by each political group. Last Thursday’s landslide result for the Liberal Democrats means the Conservatives lose two committee places to the Lib Dems and the Independents lose one place. Whilst planning is not party political, it has to be good for our town to have someone representing them who has local knowledge and is in tune with local people.

Councillor Chris Lofts commented: “Given the resounding message from Towcester last week, the town awaits a response from the Conservatives on their highly unpopular plans for moving the council’s offices. Conservatives claimed the by-election would be in part a referendum on their plans for building new council offices. Towcester people couldn’t have made their view more clear. They don’t want to see council offices moved from Springfields into the town centre.”

WNDC’s loss of powers welcomed

The Coalition Government’s Communities Minister and Liberal Democrat Andrew Stunell MP, has confirmed that West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) is going.

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that ends speculation about WNDC’s future. In April 2014 South Northamptonshire Council will take back full responsibility for strategic planning in Towcester.

It’s good news that planning decisions in Towcester will be back in democratic control and accountable to local people again. As a Liberal Democrat I believe it’s good news that an unaccountable quango is going. Unfortunately we have to wait until March 2014.

The next few years will be crucial to Towcester because of the major development plans for our town. It’s vital that South Northants Council, supported by Towcester Town Council will be leading on these plans.

Councillor Chris Lofts says: “The Government’s funding that WNDC have been using in Towcester has been welcome. Although the only real benefit that WNDC has brought to Towcester is the drive and vision to regenerate the Moat Lane area of the town.   SNC Tories failed for years to promote investment in Towcester, had it not been for WNDC the town would have remained neglected. Some of WNDC planning decisions such as at Belle Baulk have however been far from good. Liberal Democrat councillors are lobbying for South Northants Council to work closely with the Town Council to jointly take the lead with all major planning issues affecting the town.”

Developers are about to re-launch their plans for Towcester in the next few weeks. Liberal Democrats are urging local people to look at the proposal and have their say.

Lib Dems Vote Against Council Offices Move

South Northants Council has selected a developer as the preferred bidder to lead on plans for building on Springfields and Moat Lane in Towcester. This will still be subject to conditions being met.

Liberal Democrats with some independent councillor support opposed the controversial plans. These were discussed at a special council meeting held on Wednesday.

Lib Dems believe the proposal represents an unacceptable financial risk to local tax payers and at the same time may not comply with the council’s own master plan for Moat Lane. The Conservatives remain fixated on their vanity scheme for new council offices. Tories spent most of the meeting trying to score party political points, rather than debate the issues that are so important to Towcester.

The proposals heard in secret because of commercial and legal reasons will be made public when put forward through the planning process. Liberal Democrat, Councillor Chris Lofts said: “The plans show a sense of desperation by the council’s Tory administration. The council office move remains in the proposals against very strong public opinion.”

Cautious Welcome for Towcester Blueprint

Copies of the adopted Masterplan for Towcester are now available for the public. This key planning document looks at challenges facing the town, highlights opportunities and sets out a vision for Towcester’s future development.

Commenting Councillor Martin Johns says, “This is an important publication that deals with issues from the town’s economy, to transport, housing, the environment, education, health and community services. Towcester Liberal Democrats are giving a cautious welcome to the plan.”

Cllr Johns adds, “Like most local people we strongly oppose the proposed move by SNC to Moat Lane referred to in the plan. Liberal Democrat SNC councillors are also being watchful that new development delivers fully on what the town needs. This includes an A5 bypass, community facilities and consideration of how new developments will affect existing properties both in the town’s estates and at Wood Burcote. Liberal Democrats will work to ensure that the impact of new development on existing residents’ homes will be minimised.”

Councillor Chris Lofts comments, “Although delivered late, this plan offers some good ideas for Towcester’s future. Liberal Democrats will be scrutinising local authorities and developers over the coming months and years to make sure Towcester gets the facilities and infrastructure the community needs.”