Mike Jackson, Watford Labour leader, has a point: Why did the Lib Democrats, when in the coalition government, back the GDPO (General Development Planning Order) planning protocol — even temporarily — which sanctioned a development of nine pint-sized windowless flats in Wellstones? (A protocol which has since been permanently enshrined in law by the Government.)

How low can you go?

One has to presume there is a sub-basement floor (pun intended) somewhere to the standard though it doesn’t spring out immediately. What might be barriers to planning consent: No toilet? No bathroom? No lighting? No front door?

Wouldn’t it be great if the same lax development consent was given for bids to reclaim green space so that land can be given up for forestry to plant the trees we so desperately need to clean up the filthy polluted air we breathe?

Dave Degen

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