Pretty much the same thing happened in mid Cornwall recently. Previous LD administration planned for an incinerator, Cornwall Council planning denied permission went to appeal. Approved against the wishes of the council by Pickles, for reasons of “regional& national significance.” But then when a composting plant was proposed in Pickles constituency he argued against it. See the local councillors blog here http://mebyonkernow.blogspot.com/2011/09/tory-ministers-guilty-of-breathtaking.html they have no interest in localism at all….

Even the announcement this week by Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, that she didn’t believe there was sufficient evidence of a “broad consensus of support” to award crucial PFI credits for the scheme appears to have done little to change the County Council’s position.

So, the Government disagree with the County Council’s decision, but can’t overrule it? And this is an argument that this Government is hypocritical when it says it wants to devolve power?

TimJ: “And this is an argument that this Government is hypocritical when it says it wants to devolve power?”

No. it’s not. Read it again.

“Not all Tories seem to share their vision however.”
“due entirely to the hypocrisy of the party that formulated it in the first place”

@ 2 Tim J

“So, the Government disagree with the County Council’s decision, but can’t overrule it? And this is an argument that this Government is hypocritical when it says it wants to devolve power?”

The rhetoric around localism has always been about empowering people, not just councillors. If a local council can continue with a project in the face of widespread opposition from residents AND the disapproval of the government, then someone’s really not sticking to the spirit of the idea.

If a local council can continue with a project in the face of widespread opposition from residents AND the disapproval of the government, then someone’s really not sticking to the spirit of the idea.

Well, that depends doesn’t it? With planning matters in particular, I thought that the whole point was to strike a balance between localism and nimbyism. There’s been a bit of a fuss about it I seem to recall.

Tories hate anything they can’t either own or control. Therefore they hate power going up the chain to Europe. But equally they hate power going down the chain to Scotland, Wales and the English regions. For these divine right to govern hypcrites all power should reside with 300 odd tory home county MPS.

The one exception to this is their blind spot to the USA. In which case they are happy to give our sovereignty away in spades.

@ 5 Tim J

“Well, that depends doesn’t it? With planning matters in particular, I thought that the whole point was to strike a balance between localism and nimbyism. There’s been a bit of a fuss about it I seem to recall.”

I’m not saying that’s a bad idea (I get annoyed when a perfectly reasonable new build is blocked thanks to the “we hate change” brigade, which seems to consist mainly of people whose favourite activity is whinging), but it does seem to be at odds with the recent Tory rhetoric.

Personally, I’m happy for councils to operate like governments writ small: they ultimately make the decisions, and if the locals don’t like it they can kick them out at the next election.

And their support for localism does not extend to nuclear weapons. The majority
of Scottish people reject Trident which is based in their country.

But the Conservatives do not give a toss about that.

Oh come off it, what local community would ever vote for an incinerator? (Or similar other bad neighbour use – eg the landfill or large scale recycling/composting facility that would be needed if no incinerator.)

You might just about be able to make the case that an incinerator is not needed, but unless we stop households and businesses generating rubbish entirely, then something will need to be done with it.

Kings Lynn Borough (no doubt Tory also?) is just pulling a stunt, safe in the knowledge they can criticise without having the responsibility to find a solution. I’m sure they’d happily organise a referendum against the Water Board building a new sewage works, safe in the knowledge that they don’t have to dream up a way of stopping people ever having a shit.