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No evidence of opposition [editor's title] I was bemused to see that Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council and assorted Lib Dem colleagues, had staged a street demonstration against the possible redevelopment of Wembley's Chesterfield House, which is currently occupied by the Council's Children and Families department. As the Lib Dems are the leading coalition partners on the Council they will presumably be making the decision on any planning application as they have the majority on the planning committee. So this leaves me with a vexed question: were the Lib Dems demonstrating against themselves, attempting to influence themselves, or orchestrating a populist cause ahead of next year's local elections? It is as if Gordon Brown stood outside 10 Downing Street with a placard saying "QUANTIATIVE EASING NOW!" Digging a little deeper more issues emerge: Cllr Peter Corcoran claims that a 29 storey tower block in the heart of Wembley is a crazy idea and will cause congestion and that that such developments had problems with finance even in 'boom times'. However a 28 storey tower is due to be built just round the corner in the Copland Village development, King Edward's Place already towers above Park Lane, and the new building next to Wembley Central station looms over the High Road. The Lib Dem's battle for "environmentally sympathetic development" has already been lost after three years of their administration. Elsewhere the Lib Dem led Council has approved a 19 storey development in Colindale despite local opposition about congestion and the environment, is pushing ahead with the ARK Academy despite opposition citing congestion concerns and environmental damage through the loss of green space, and promoting the Wembley Masterplan despite community opposition that it is unsustainable and designed for “boom times”. In other words the Lib Dems are using the same arguments against the Chesterfield House development as their opponents have used in fighting Lib Dem development plans. If your readers are as perplexed as I am, I suggest we all join the Lib Dems next time they decide to protest against themselves! Martin Francis Brent Green Party |
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