Dispiriting affair

During the discussion, the committee members seemed to acknowledge the lack of sufficient parking and the potential hazards of the proposed Station Road bus route.

Possible deferment of the plans were discussed but the plans were approved nevertheless. There were four votes for acceptance against two for deferment. The chairman voted ‘for’.

As has been stated in previous correspondence to the Herald, Didcot Town Council has twice opposed the plans and Oxfordshire County Council has objected to the plans on the grounds of insufficient parking and concerns about the bus route.

The three district councillors representing the Didcot South ward spoke as protesters against the plans. They were barred from voting on the plans apparently, on the grounds of not being allowed to vote on matters concerning their ward. Presumably, if these three had been allowed to vote, the vote would gone the other way and the plans deferred. I would like to know when and why this rule banning the local ward councillors to vote came to be. It seems to me a ridiculous situation to have those councillors with most the local knowledge with regard to the application being banned from voting.

Allan Ridgeley
Craven Way
Didcot