It’s interesting to note that former mayor of Watford and now Baroness Thornhill wants the ‘right type’ of new homes built in the ‘right place’ in her letter published in your edition of May 21 last week.

Now I am sure that all residents of Watford would welcome an outcome like that whatever the political views they may have, but after nearly 20 years of the Liberal Democrats in power running Watford Council, with countless planning applications passed that have led to overdevelopment in our town, it seems we are closer to a nightmare scenario.

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with Baroness Thornhill that the present Conservative government’s planning proposals are very worrying for local council accountability, especially as I have sat on the development control committee (planning) continuously for the last 12 years.

So Baroness Thornhill, while I agree with many of your criticisms of the present Government on planning, I am afraid you and your Liberal Democrat successor as mayor cannot evade responsibility for planning decisions passed while you were mayor and under your successor since 2002.

It’s very noticeable how she and now the present mayor are always quick on the photo opportunity for any new development when it suits them but quick to blame the Government when it doesn’t.

I wonder how long before the present mayor is pictured in St Albans Road welcoming the new tower blocks passed on ‘The Range’ site or am I just being too cynical after many years as a councillor?

The photo accompanying the Baroness’ letter shows the ‘Ascot Tower’ development in West Watford as it goes higher week by week.

Now I was on that committee meeting and I proposed an amendment to limit the 24-storey tower to 15 storeys but it was voted down by the majority on the committee.

Now next to that development in West Watford is Sydney Road and I mention that because readers may not realise that over the last three years, there were three planning applications passed in that one road totalling nearly 600 flats, yes 600 flats in one road totally destroying the character of that road and changing West Watford with overdevelopment for ever.

So forgive me if I am cynical at these criticisms now by Baroness Thornhill and in his letter on April 30 by her husband, former Councillor Iain Sharpe.

I have stated in council myself that we need senior politicians of all parties to come together to work with the Local Government Association, planning officers and residents associations to work together to try to find solutions to the serious planning and housing issues that are likely to be made worse by the stripping away of responsibility from local councils.

I am not against more residential conversion in Watford High Street as long as developers are not able to get out of their responsibility to build well designed and affordable housing units.

Local councils must still have the power to take action against unscrupulous landlords and developers and enforcement of breaches of planning permission needs to be strengthened for Watford and many similar towns.

Cllr Nigel Bell

Labour Group Leader, Watford Borough Council

County Councillor for West Watford