AS an ex-local councillor myself (Norton Town Council) and having debated the pros and cons of planning applications many times over the years, it seems (reading the columns of your newspaper) that nothing much has changed when it comes to local/grassroots opinion – from concerned residents and Norton Town Council – being dismissed and ignored by the powers that be eg Ryedale District Council planning committee, especially with regard to large, unwanted and unnecessary housing development.

With this in mind, and wearing my other hat as a musician and performance poet, I wrote the following piece as a kind of summary and overview of the contentious issue of local planning and called it “If The Cap Fits (Democracy and Self Interest)”

We have plans,
Super Plans,
For housing
And car-park stands
And we don’t care
If it’s fair
Or if it’s suitable
For those who live there
Yes, we have plans,
Super plans,
For profits,
Via the shaking of hands
And we don’t care
If it’s fair,
Or if it’s democratic
For who lives there.
For I’m a certain kind of district councillor,
Whatever that title is worth.
A certain kind of district councillor
presiding over the evolution and births of absolute power.
Yes, I’m a certain kind of district councillor,
Moving and shaking by sleight of hand.
A certain kind of district councillor,
Building your future,
Despite the lack of demand.
And I have plans,
Super plans,
And the sleazy words
To help you misunderstand.
Plans,
Super plans,
To assuage your worries
When the dirt hits the fan.
A plan, a profitable plan,
To help certain people if they can.
A plan,
A perfect plan,
To re-interpret the lie of the land.
For I’m a certain kind of district councillor,
A law unto myself.
A certain kind of district councillor,
Sitting on the shelf,
Until the time is right.
Yes, I’m a certain kind of district councillor,
Influencing decisions, be they foul or fair
A certain kind of district councillor,
So here’s to me, and to mine,
Up yours – so there.

HO Griffiths, Pickering