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.”

Locals Give Views to Lib Dems

Together with Councillor Chris Lofts I have started monthly surgeries at Towcester Library. We are fortunate in having such an excellent and well used library in the town.

It’s very important to Liberal Democrats that we keep in touch with local people, listening to their views, issues and concerns. Today we heard from people about their worries over Towcester’s public toilets staying closed, and street lights being turned off. Others asked about how new housing development might in future provide better community facilities. Concerns were also expressed over the proposed density of the Moat Lane development and how it would overshadow Bury Mount.

Dog walkers and parents of children and young people in particular expressed their concerns about street lights being turned off. A member of Towcester Neighbourhood Watch voiced concerns about the adverse effect of reducing street lighting on crime and the fear of crime.

Councillor Chris Lofts says, “The surgeries on the first Saturday morning of every month will give a regular chance for Towcester people to raise issues and or seek help with a local problem.”

Combined with our websites, including: www.chrislofts.mycouncillor.org.uk and FOCUS, our popular newsletter, we both plan to continue to be accessible to people all year round. Working all year round and keeping in touch is what people tell us they like about the Liberal Democrats.