No benefits

Sixth-Former speaks blithely of growth point status bringing nothing but benefits, although I wonder how they know this since the scheme was only launched in 2006 in response to the Barker Review.

I am afraid that when they get out into the real world they are in for considerable disappointment.

What may seem fine in theory very rarely translates into benefits when put into practice.

This is a lesson that politicians and planners in particular seem unable to learn.

The application and associated doubling in the size of Newark are certainly not likely to make it easier to find jobs. Nor will they guarantee improved services.

In fact, judging by previous expansions, they are likely to only add to the burden on our currently overstretched facilities.

There is absolutely no evidence that anyone currently living in the area will benefit from the expansion.

The fact that the application itself was made with little or no reference to the general public only goes to show that the politicians realise that a democratic choice on this matter could not be allowed as it would have risked derailing their outrageous plans