I’m someone who has spent their whole life in our town and take a keen interest in preserving our town’s heritage for current and future generations to enjoy.

Therefore, I was extremely disappointed to read in a report from the Watford Observer that our MP, Mr Dean Russell, abstained from voting in the debate in the House regarding a motion tabled by Labour that helps to protect the right of communities objecting to individual planning applications.

Who was Mr Russell batting for last Monday in the House? His constituents or his party whip?

Mr Russell is now partly responsible for allowing developers to be able to act at will with unrestricted freedom to destroy, which in some cases could be our town’s history and heritage. What Mr Russell has done is drive a coach and horses with developers aboard straight through the council’s planning applications department, that now allows developers to apply for planning permission to build in areas like the Sun Clock Tower in West Watford.

Ernie MacKenzie

Gammons Lane, Watford