Faith in democracy has been restored

Congratulations to the Warwick District Council planning committee for saving Leamington from the proposed Clarendon Arcade development.

Against considerable pressure from the planning officers and developer, they maintained their independence, reviewing the high number of objections in detail, and making their own, sometimes withering, independent criticisms of the plan. My faith in local democracy has been restored.

The chairman commented that it was a sad day for Leamington that the plan had not been accepted. This was actually an expression of deep disappointment that so much time and effort had been wasted on a plan that was unacceptable. Officers and developer please note. - Rosemary Jackson, Clarendon Avenue, Leamington.