Impossible to find against developers (From Messenger Newspapers)

Impossible to find against developers

2:33pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Your Letters

REGARDING the decision of the planning inspector on the Davyhulme supermarket.

In such cases the inspector has to base his or her decision on the information before them.

In the case of large supermarket proposals, of which there have been many in recent years, I have never come across an instance where the developers have failed to produce statistical evidence that their supermarket would have absolutely no effect on nearby shopping centres.

This evidence is produced at great expense by ‘experts’ and is usually backed up at appeal by top barristers.

Unless the council, or wealthy residents, can produce contrary, and equally expensive, statistical evidence, it is almost impossible for inspectors to find against the developers.

I hope that this picture might change in the future, but it will only do so if people are mobilised and very determined.

Dr Nigel Woodcock, chairman, Trafford Green Party, Kings Road, Stretford