please empty your brain below
One of the things that I believe has improved enormously over recent years is the level of consultation that goes on and the right for individuals to query/enquire about/object to the smallest details of changes on our tiny crowded island. It's still not perfect and it sometimes slows things down too much and sometimes people do get overlooked or get a bad deal (e.g. allotment holders in the Olympic site) but it is much better than it was in the sixties. One factor is surely that we can now download consultation documents in a matter of seconds at home instead having to find out which library has a copy.

I remember working with a colleague who was shocked at hearing that channel tunnel freight traffic would be rumbling overnight at the back of his garden. We won't get any sleep etc. etc. I pointed out that there was already a steady nightly procession of freight trains on the line and he was sleeping OK through that. "Is there?" he said. "Are you sure ?".

Pedantic of Purley | 22.02.08 - 7:27 a.m. | #

There may be more consultations these days but I'm convinced less notice is taken of anything anyone says in objection. By the time it gets to this stage, it's generally a done deal, and the consulation process just wastes thousands or even millions of pounds.

Blue Witch | Homepage | 22.02.08 - 8:22 a.m. | #

I suspect to some extent you are right. Often the consultation is about do you want Option A or option B (but you well get one of them like it or not). But sometimes the consultation is genuine and I suspect that this one is.

Of course once it becomes policy then you are into the realms of planning inquiries etc. By then the propronents have prepared their case pretty well and you have got to have some pretty convincing argument to persuade the inspector why something should not happen.

Pedantic of Purley | 22.02.08 - 8:46 a.m. | #

I don't see much point in public inquiries in this case, unless the 'public' are those people who live next door to one of the busy airports.

Hertfordshire is affected by many flight paths, but I've never ever been woken by the sound of planes flying overhead in the middle of the night.

In addition, if you buy a house near Heathrow, then clearly you shouldn't be surprised if you constantly hear aeroplane noise all the time. Of course, if a resident bought their house before the airport became the major aviation hub it is today, then you have much more right to complain.

Andrewh | 22.02.08 - 10:07 a.m. | #

I've just realised I've spent much of my life living under about 20 flight paths. No wonder I'm demented...

[*flinches at the use of 'majorly'*]

drD | Homepage | 22.02.08 - 11:42 a.m. | #

What saddens me a little about all of these consultations and new ideas that the Government or some QUANGO or organisation wants to put into place [or suggest] is that often the people who will be most affected by it are the last to find out.

I live very close to Stansted (Aircraft appoximately every 90 seconds during the summer), but have heard nothing about this locally. The first I knew was yesterday when it went public on BBC News. I fully support the Stop Stansted Expansion Group and everything that Uttlesford District Council do to help residents, but sometimes it feels as though they are a little slow on the uptake. I should not be complaining really. Uttlesford do a stellar job at opposing every stupid housing company that comes along to try and build 10,000 more homes.

Also, upon reading about this yesterday I wondered how long the "Peace" for residents would last. Oh, until they building another really stupid housing estate underneath the new proposals.

Laura-Ann | 22.02.08 - 1:06 p.m. | #

Now we can work out where you live - E3 2SJ - not many houses with that postcode.

Anonymous | 22.02.08 - 1:31 p.m. | #

That's the postcode of the church in the middle of Bow Road (I'm not that stupid )

diamond geezer | Homepage | 22.02.08 - 5:31 p.m. | #

Is the dearth of comments on this post proof that people aren't that interested in consultation?

ganching | Homepage | 22.02.08 - 7:11 p.m. | #

OH... MY... GAWD...!!!

There IS someone who knows that it is CAREERING instead of CAREENING!

YAY!!!!!

Any room in your entourage for an apostle?

Dave in Chicago | 22.02.08 - 7:47 p.m. | #

Would knowing who DG is enrich the DG experience much? I'd still quite like to meet the bloke though..

Novaelius | 22.02.08 - 8:50 p.m. | #











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