ANY move away from democracy and transparency should be fought tooth and nail.

The Government’s White Paper Planning for the Future aims to cut through the red tape which binds planning law and promote house building.

But it will also diminish the chance for planning authorities, planning committee members and ward councillors as well as residents of having their say.

Automatic permission will also be granted in so-called growth areas.

Huge concerns have been raised by Colchester Council leader Mark Cory and rightly so.

He raises the issue of the prospect of almost doubling the number of houses which will be built each year in the borough from from 920 to 1,612.

This green and pleasant land will be lost under piles of concrete if this Bill is passed as it is.

Developers will pretty much be given carte blanch and will reap the rewards.

Meanwhile residents will be powerless.

Transparency, accountability and free speech are the cornerstones of democracy and should be protected at all costs.

Otherwise the country will be run by the few with no input from the many.

Colchester’s infrastructure is already struggling to keep up with the number of homes being built and its services will collapse under the strain if more homes are built without recourse.

Residents and organisations must have their say.

It is our country too and we have a right to be heard.