ISN’T it time that Taunton Deane residents were given the truth about the future of Taunton from a Long-Term Planning perspective especially when it comes to the use of land?

I sit on the TDBC planning committee and have witnessed on so many occasions the attempts to implement the core strategy, only for it to be superseded by the Central Government’s National Planning Policy Framework.

This comes to a head with the North Taunton (Staplegrove) Development Plans to build 1,750 houses being heard at the Castle School on Wednesday, September 20.

It was for this reason that, in April 2016, I deliberately “fettered my discretion” as I witnessed the negotiations taking place between the two developers and TDBC were all attempting to wriggle out of their responsibilities.

I made it clear I would fully support the concerns of both Action Groups namely RoSAG and WARG.

I respect the need for the planning committee members to be carefully weighing up the pros and the cons before determining their position, but as a Deane councillor I am serving all the citizens of Taunton better by setting out my stall now and acting as advocate rather than as a judge.

It is preposterous to not plan for a true link road from Kingston Road through to Silk Mills from the outset.

It is outrageous to allow the developers to put in a drop down road onto Corkscrew Lane/ Manor Road adding to the traffic problems of this rat run.

It is ridiculous not to have the spine road built first and for its current design to fail to meet the standards either for pedestrians or cyclists with its narrowness and all its bends and corners.

We need to provide 25 per cent affordable housing when we are all aware of spiralling rental costs and the difficulties both of first time buyers and those who are just about managing.

These should not be allowed to be taken out of the proposals and is contrary to TDBC policy and local need.

The concept of the Garden Town will need dramatic revision if we are to achieve this status as the plans erode the necessary green spaces required and will hinder rather than promote the sustainability of the environment and the better use of public transport.

Garden Towns started as an early environmental initiative in the 19th century but sadly the modern development of this is a joke. The current programme for Taunton Garden town doesn’t require a single measurable environmental standard to be attained.

All we’ve got so far is a promise that we will move up the queue for even more restricted funding for infrastructure projects in the South West region.

Does the TDBC Tory administration want to destroy local government altogether by surrendering to central government its powers in planning just as it has done by surrendering sovereignty in its support for the “merger”

with the failing West Somerset Council costing the Taunton Deane taxpayers millions in more overspending on refurbishing the Deane House and other futile projects?

When will our MP take responsibility for this growing crisis both of money wasted and the sense of identity for Taunton that we are in danger of losing?

CLLR DANNY WEDDERKOPP Taunton