I AM not a political person but I do understand the principles of democracy. 

I was free to vote for the district councillor of my ward, Four Acres, a person I trust to represent me on the District Council. 

Imagine my amazement when I discovered that he will not be allowed to vote in the council meeting that will decide the planning application submitted by Bathurst Development Limited to build 2,350 homes on the south west edge of our town.

As this application is to be discussed not by the planning committee but by the full council, current rules prevent councillors from voting on planning applications in their own wards. 

As a result, the councillors representing Four Acres, Chesterton and Watermoor will not be allowed to vote. 

Altogether these councillors represent 6000 people. 

Yet this is no ordinary application, the project would be far reaching and would fundamentally change the structure and character of our town and therefore deserves full scrutiny by all those affected. 

For this reason the Liberal Democrats put forward an amendment that would allow our councillors a vote but it would appear that this is not to be. 

So much for democracy.

MARGARET THOMAS
Cirencester