Dear Sir,

Many of you will know me through my campaigning for the environment. I have helped many people when inappropriate development threatens their urban or rural environment. I have done so because I believe that the cause needs to be championed by all of us who care.

I do not know whether you are aware that our country has been set upon the biggest building frenzy for decades. It hasn’t really taken off yet, but it will. The sad thing is that the Government see public participation as an obstacle to building. Perhaps they are right, but where is democracy when the people who are affected by building are effectively gagged and only allowed a stifled voice?

To pave the way for the building frenzy the planning laws have been simplified, removing many of the safeguards that previously existed and the opportunities for effective public participation have been reduced.

I sincerely believe that the situation needs to be urgently redressed. Therefore I have initiated a petition, which I would like you to sign, but only if you agree that it is important for the public to have a powerful voice in respect of what is acceptable or not, in the forthcoming building frenzy.

If you are interested and would like to know more about the petition and potentially add weight by signing it, then please use the following link: http://tinyurl.com/o5ohuqu

Mick Freer

Halesowen