Sick of developers trashing villages? Time to give locals a real say.

Honestly, the sheer arrogance of some developers is breathtaking. They arrive in villages like ours, with their slick presentations, promising the moon while completely ignoring the existing fabric of the community and the strain on local infrastructure. We've got one firm eyeing up a field next to Little Snoring at the moment, talking about 'affordable housing' but really just eyeing up prime acreage. The local council seems powerless, or worse, complicit. It’s infuriating seeing ancient green spaces bulldozed for soulless estates that don't even cater to the needs of people who actually live here.

My proposal is simple: Community Planning Charters. Before any large development is even considered, the local parish council, backed by independent planning consultants funded by the developer, must agree on a charter.