Readers' Letters: 'Undemocratic' planning powers and dangerous cycling in Harrogate

Readers’ Letters is a free weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

The following comments were left under an article about plans to hand the mayor more powers over planning.

It’s no more undemocratic than the current system where unelected civil servants in their role as government appointed planning inspectors overrule local decisions? At least this way the individual, the mayor, will eventually be judged at the ballot box. That doesn’t happen at present and the planning inspectors are remote and completely impossible to engage with. Also, the mayor's intervention will still have to be in line with planning policies and the local plan, he can’t just wade in and throw everything up in the air. So let’s get a bit of perspective and stick to the facts.

Ian Brown

Of course it's undemocratic when an individual can impede or overule elected officials. But hardly surprising as we have an unelected prime minister dictating the policy. It's a slippery slope.

Paul Reynolds

Spot on Mr Lib Dem.

Michael Chapman

This comment was left under an opinion article by Cllr Michael Schofield about the Otley Road cycle path.

I cycle in France and Spain and the routes are clear and well designed. I have regularly cycled into Salamanca in Spain which has the most comprehensive cycling tracks along side a walking, running track. It's brilliant. Sadly, I never cycle here as it’s just too dangerous. North Yorkshire Council lack ambition and knowledge of what other places have done successfully. The Salamanca route is well used by cyclists and runners/walkers. But they each have their own space.

Clare Hardy

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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