Lib Dems Launch Campaign to Reject Government Planning Proposals

Wiltshire Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to call on Wiltshire Council to pressure the Government to scrap its proposals to weaken planning controls. They say the proposed changes will do nothing to alleviate the housing crisis but will instead strip local authorities of the power to set local planning policies.

Dear Toby, 16th September 2020

[The Planning Reform White Paper]

We are writing to you to ask you to condemn the planning changes announced last month by the communities secretary, Robert Jenrick and to pressure the Government to scrap the proposals.

The proposed changes will allow automatic approval for developments in 'growth' zones and 'permission in principle' for proposals in 'renewal' zones. This is a developers' charter that will undermine democratic controls, reduce the quality of new development and waste a golden opportunity to build safer and more environmentally sustainable places with thriving communities.

We are calling for Wiltshire Council to condemn the planning reforms and to pressure the Government to scrap the proposals.

The proposed changes will allow automatic approval for developments in 'growth' zones and 'permission in principle' for proposals in 'renewal' zones. This threatens years of work by Neighbourhood Plans.

CONCERNED councillors are to ask highways bosses to investigate why pavements in part of Bradford on Avon have been left uneven and difficult for those with reduced mobility to use, following a complaint by an elderly resident.

Cllr Jim Lynch said he would investigate the state of pavements along the Winsley Road.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the annual increase in rail fares from next January to be cancelled, a move which would save typical commuters in Wiltshire between £33 and £165 next year, according to the party's analysis.

The proposed 1.6% rise in fares is based on the rise in the Retail Price Index for the 12 months to July 2020.

A NEW call has been made for more emphasis to be put on improving air quality in Devizes.

Lib Dems want improvements made to pavements to get people waslking rather than driving and for more cycle racks to be made available in the town.

Campaigner, Liza Kinnaird said, "Improvements to our pavements and pedestrian safety would encourage people to walk more. Increasing the number of cycle racks in town, and raising awareness of the safe cycling routes around Devizes, would make cycling a more viable option.

Lib Dems in Wiltshire call for a rail fare freeze.

We are calling for the annual increase in rail fares from next January to be cancelled.

This would save typical commuters in Wiltshire between £33 and £165 next year.

At a time when so many families are stretched because of COVID-19, the Conservatives seem happy for commuters in Wiltshire to face another hike in the price of their season tickets.

As part of Wiltshire Lib Dem's Residents Survey, we want to hear your views specifically on parking.

If you're interested in taking part, please complete this short survey: https://libdems.typeform.com/to/SCQI8BTR

Lib Dems demand Govt step in as over 30,000 pensioners in Wiltshire lose free TV licence.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to reinstate free TV licenses for over 75s during the COVID-19 crisis, amid concerns that the decision to cut this benefit will leave millions of elderly people without television at a critical time.

Her call comes ‎as shocking new figures from farm insurance specialists NFU Mutual show thefts from Wiltshire farms doubling in a year to £1m.

"As a Wiltshire farmer I am fully aware that rural crime has been on the increase in our County. The figures from the NFU Mutual insurance company confirm this.