Amidst the concern surrounding the use of Bidwell Gardens N22 as a construction access road, Liberal Democrat councillors have accused the Labour council of snubbing local residents and silencing their own planning officers. The comments follow the decision by Labour councillors to make council planning officers unavailable for a meeting with Bidwell Gardens’ residents, arranged by Cllr Wayne Hoban to discuss the problems caused by the works.

The meeting scheduled for this Thursday, 10th July was intended to discuss the residents’ safety concerns. Cllr Hoban had agreed with planning chiefs that an officer would be able to attend. However, Labour Environment spokesperson Ray Dodds and Planning chair, Thomas Davidson stepped in earlier this week to state that a planning officer would not attend this important meeting.

Cllr Wayne Hoban comments:

“Local Labour councillors are showing a disregard for local residents’ views on this issue. Planning officers are needed so that the safety concerns can be fully understood and proper discussions held. Instead, Labour councillors are trying to put a spoke in the wheels.

“It is an unacceptable way to treat local residents, who had expected to speak to all the key people at the meeting.”