COUNCILLOR Angus Thompson in his Conservative election leaflet stated he had a particular interest in planning. On June 30, Richmondshire District Council’s Planning Committee approved an outline application for 35 houses in Middleton Tyas. This the most important proposed development locally for years. I was aghast to hear our councillor did not attend the committee, especially as there were more objectors to the development than supporters.

The plans are for mostly executive detached dwellings of which there are so many already in the village and which not in the price bracket for young families wanting to step on the housing ladder or move up a rung or two. The affordable housing that has to be provided as part of the proposal was destined for the applicant’s “key workers” until a committee member rightly derailed this approach, remind g the committee that this housing has to be allocated to those in housing need, with applicants from the village having the first priority.

Richmondshire District Council did not hold its promised follow-up community consultation meeting to the January event I organised, which was attended by 35 residents. It also failed to forward its draft report on this consultation for the parish council to consider before the application was decided.

All told, this is where a ward member should take charge on behalf of those they represent. Instead CllrThompson has remained remarkably silent, and I wonder why?

It will also be revealing to see his response to the unfolding events at Dixholme in the village, next to the former council housing, where one house has grown expansively, and two others may do the same if they lose their planning appeal.

Political opponents will already have their keyboards at hand to type “sour grapes” as their response. Yes, it is sour grapes, on behalf of the community I care so much for, sold short by the Conservatives and its representative who clearly have it lower on their list of priorities than toeing the party line.

Jill McMullon, Middleton Tyas.