Colin Gardner (Letters) is right to criticize the stripping of planning controls away from local councils by the London government's so-called "developers' charter". Unfortunately, in a country as centralized as the UK, local powers are seen as a gift by Westminster that can be rescinded at a whim if Westminster's priorities demand it. Housing development will not be based on local need, but on what the biggest developers think they can sell.
Since 1974, the Wessex Regionalists have been campaigning for devo max for those parts of Southern England that lie West of London - the parts that are currently seen as among the most desirable prizes by greedy landowners and construction companies. It is time that the needs of Wessex people stopped being treated as subservient to those of wealthy Londoners looking to buy second homes.
Nick Xylas
Secretary-General,
Wessex Regionalists
Bristol
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