Why demolish well-built houses?

Published on 18th January 2007 in Letters

Sir - ERYC's apparent complete disregard for local democracy never changes. Isn't it so typical of our County Council to propose new housing and industrial developments where they are not required, while at the same time 'running down' an existing community with the intention to demolish 117 much-needed homes in Richard Cooper Street and Phoenix Street?

Does ERYC deliberately set out to antagonise as many communities as possible? Your story 'Enough is enough' (Goole Times, January 4) shows that the people of Gilberdyke are opposed to any future developments (350 against, only 7 for) because ERYC have not provided the infrastructure to support the extra development. Why are the community's views ignored?

Where is the common sense in forcing extra houses on Gilberdyke and at the same time knocking down 117 well-built houses in Richard Cooper Street and Phoenix Street? Coincidentally, the majority of residents in these two streets voted to retain the houses, yet ERYC seemingly ignored their views as well.

Isn't it about time the various communities of the East Riding had a meaningful say in their own affairs? Why does this council continually appear to ride roughshod over local opinion? Why don't the councillors represent the views of the communities? Why should bureaucrats in Beverley continually dictate to the people of Goole and surrounding areas what they must do, irrespective of what is actually required. There is no local accountability or democracy; instead we are ruled by people who are so aloof and so distant from the communities they supposedly represent that they have scant regard for what those individual communities need or want.

Alan Wilson

Boothferry Road,

Goole