I support the South Downs National Park.

But some Conservatives have adopted an odd position on the issue. They are against the Park because they believe that local Councils should be allowed to maintain planning controls over their local areas without the interference of the government and/or those who run the Park.

This is befuddling because of two issues:
1. The public clearly support the South Downs being a National Park and so, against the run of play, they are putting political opinion above vote-buying. I’d be impressed except that the Conservatives against the Park are wrong:
2. Local Councils do not have planning controls.

Let me explain (2).

First, people think it is a good thing that elected people help make planning decisions. I think not, actually, given the current framework. The grounds for granting or denying permission are very specific. There is little lee-way within the rules to refuse an application that the public are strongly and demonstrably against. If a Council has the audacity to deny an application on non-planning grounds then after a potentially expensive appeal the decision will likely go the way of the applicant. And to hell with the opinions of the people or the people they have elected to represent them.

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Second, I am not convinced that Joe Public vote for politicians; they pathetically vote for the colour of the rosette in an almost tribal fashion. I am convinced that in the vast majority of so-called ‘safe’ seats, a homophobic, racist, misogynist could get elected for any of the three major parties in local government. In fact, looking at many Councillors, the public clearly have no idea what they’re voting for.

How can the public trust local Councils to protect the South Downs when it is run by illogical people with too much spare time who, in any case, do not have the power that they would need.

Any Councillor who, if they read this, thinks I am talking about them can safely assume I am — but know that I am not talking about all or even the majority of Councillors in any particular area. And those who do not fit this description also know who they are.

A National Park is the only way to protect the South Downs from SEEDA and from impossible decisions foisted upon local Councils.

I will leave you with a final thought. Wealden District Council denied planning permission for a disabled soldier’s bungalow application. Do you think the Councillors when making that decision thought to themselves “Sod him, he fought for Queen and country, but rules are rules” or do you think that, hamstrung by rules from outside, they made the only decision they could? So much for democratic accountability.