I NEVER cease to be amazed by the machinations of our district council, particularly in the areas of planning permission and licensing.

I NEVER cease to be amazed by the machinations of our district council, particularly in the areas of planning permission and licensing.

A year or so ago, planning permission was sought for a kebab shop in Sawtry High Street. Despite concerted and vociferous opposition from the parish council and a petition with many signatures, that permission was granted.

I should like someone from HDC to confirm to your readers that the appalling garish sign on that kebab shop was specifically illustrated to the planning committee before it granted the permission. I have to say it is more suited to Soho or the Golden Mile at Blackpool than a serene rural village.

Now we have the ultimate request about to be considered – a licensing application for “a sex establishment” in Sawtry, right next to the A1(M). I would venture to suggest that the majority in Sawtry do not feel the need for such a shop.

Most of us have perfectly satisfactory sex lives without such aids; and for a considerable proportion of us they involve a second person.

With planning applications it is difficult for normal people to come up with objections that are valid in what is known as ‘planning law’. So let me just remind everyone what this Government has pledged to do on that score: it has told us that henceforth it will be locally-elected councillors who will decide; not Whitehall and ‘planning law’.

If the licence is granted, there will still be a requirement for planning permission. Therefore, our local councillors have two opportunities to save the village from becoming even more like Soho.

So, HDC and locally-elected councillors; let us see you put your money where Mr Cameron’s mouth is and stop the Sawtry sex shop from lowering the tone of this rural village. Refuse the licence and the planning permission.

KEITH WALTERS

The Gardens

Sawtry