Friday, August 24

The Death of Good Reason

It is difficult to know what to make of a report in The Journal that according to planning officer Fiona Clarke "local opposition isn't a good enough reason to refuse planning permission". That staggering comment of course begs the question what is good reason .
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Apparantly local objectors said that a proposed Funeral Director's new premises would depress elderly people living nearby. Raymond Ives, of the Pea Farm Residents' Association added that: "A business like this would be more suited to an industrial unit. This is a residential area, the business would be out of keeping with this, and there are many other empty commercial premises in Stanley which could be used."
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Funeral parlours in the main streets of many north east towns are very much apart of the local sceen and for many decades it was customary for some multi-skilled men to start a joinery and undertakers business. Previously local residents seemed remarkably happy to face the makers of wooden overcoats in our main retail areas but not these days what's changed one wonders?
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Planning permission in this particular case was granted despite the objections of the local people.

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