Liberal Democrats have lost the confidence of people living near the former Parkway Special School site, say Local Conservatives.

Angry residents demanded answers at a packed ward committee and a council employee was left to answer for the failures of the ruling Liberal Democrat Group. 

Residents at the public meeting were dismayed to hear that Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors had voted not to review the decision taken by the ruling Liberal Democrats to build houses on the site, despite council inaccuracies in council reports. A previous council consultation - conducted less than 18 months ago - showed that residents overwhelmingly supported the site remaining as open space.

Jason Smith, Conservative spokesman for Westerhope Ward, who spoke at the meeting, said: “Clearly, residents are frustrated by the council's failure to explain why they were consulted about the future of the Parkway site a few months ago, but are now being asked for their views again. What confidence can we have in future consultations if the council ignores the outcome when people don't choose the council’s preferred option?

“Hundreds of people have now signed the petition against the Parkway plans and residents are demanding that the council listens to the expensive consultation it held less than 18 months ago.

“Most worryingly, senior councillors rubber-stamped a decision which was based on inaccurate information. Yet again, no one seems to accept responsibility for such serious failings. Councillor Bill Shepherd, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for Regeneration and Housing is clearly not on top of his brief and I believe he should ask himself whether he is up to the job.”

Stephen Parkinson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Newcastle North (pictured below with Bob Neill MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government and North East based Conservative Peer Lord Michael Bates), said: “Clearly, the council has mucked up. I'm disappointed that Labour and the Lib Dems have joined together to ignore the views of local residents. It's yet another sign that we need to elect some fresh, Conservative faces to shake up the tired old politics of Newcastle."

You can sign the online petition by clicking here.

15th January 2010