I refer to the recent letters published by MP, Dean Russell and Watford Elected Mayor, Peter Taylor and the contributions from local press concerning the Watford local plan, eventually published a few days ago.

Better late than never most will say, but with the Lib Dem administration having taken so long to mull over the plan, it is a pity that they did not include perhaps its most important omission, namely that of the future demand for dwellings in the borough. Not a word about the number of dwellings ‘demanded’ by the voracious Tory Government; no reference to the need to build upwards and thus destroy the character of our town; not a word concerning the impact that high-rise buildings are already having on Watford residents. Odd isn’t it? But then, Lib Dems are and always have been ambiguous in their imprecise delivery of policy – it gives them more room for political manoeuvre. ‘On the one hand…and on the other’; vote for HS2 in Parliament and condemn it in the recent by-election for Chesham and Amersham.

So, here we have a council that has vilified the Conservatives over the past years for their unreasonable housing requests – and carried on building high-rise blocks, long condemned in other parts of the UK. These are mostly of poor design and, unfortunately, tend to be sited at entry points to the town, indicating to visitors that our planners excel in producing the worst possible urban outlook.

Dean Russell MP is criticised for not being involved in discussing the plan – and when he does offer advice, as soon as he is able, he is excoriated by the Lib Dems for interfering.

As a former Watford Borough Councillor, I despair for the future development of our town under this lazy Lib Dem, or should I say Local Development administration. When Conservatives are represented in council, I hope from May 2022, I am sure there will be a planning revolution and no more ambiguity in the delivery of policy.

Andrew Mortimer,

The Avenue, Watford