ON MP Neil Carmichael’s criticism of Stroud District Council for failing to have a local plan in place which he says has been ‘catastrophic’ for the area.

Posted by joyus1uk: Once again Mr Carmichael produces his all too familiar line about Stroud not having a local plan in place. Interesting line from him but let’s look back at the history here.

When the Coalition took office (May 2010) they decided to rip up the existing planning laws and introduce the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

A complete about face in planning and what is required by local communities and councils. At the time Stroud district, under a Tory administration, was drawing up a strategic development plan. It was making progress.

But the introduction of the NPPF forced the changes and the Tory administration scuttled out of office in 2012 without a local plan. Labour took office in cooperation with the Lib Dems and Greens and true to their manifesto reworked the Tory plan to fall in line with their aims and objectives endorsed by the voters through a democratic election.

Posted by BigBoy22: “Advice to help has been given”... sadly not by you Mr Carmichael. You have only slated SDC and purely because it is Labour-led. It is Labour-led because that’s what the people voted for and you’re stuck with it whether you like it or not.

On the delay to resurfacing work in Cainscross Road, Stroud, which now looks unlikely to happen before next year.

Posted by kjag23: Absolutely disgraceful. Cainscross Road has needed urgent repair work for years. The council seems to be totally incompetent when it comes to road repairs. I rattle along this road twice a day and every time I have to dodge and swerve around dangerous pothole clusters.

I recently visited a town in Wales and did not come across a single pot hole. Gloucestershire is a disgrace and those responsible should be ashamed.