9th September 2011, 06:29 PM
Did anyone see Newsnight last week (Thursday) or listen to Radio 4 in the morning last Saturday? Both Paxman and Humphreys were pressing the planning minister on whether he would change his mind following the consultation, and he wouldn't be drawn on the issue (typical politician behaviour!) Not particularly reassuring 
The head of the National Trust was on Newsnight and I thought gave a very good account of himself, saying that developers were laughing their faces off, not believing what an easy time they'd get of it.
I believe the minister, did, however, say that he would invite the National Trust (and perhaps other interested bodies) to private meetings to discuss the framework. Have no idea if more "straight up" archaeological bodies such as EH and the IFA will be able to muscle in on this though.
The BBC has been reporting fairly extensively on this over the last week or two, saying that some backbench Conservatives and Lib Dems were not happy with the proposals, probably because they represent very leafy parts of the country. Maybe its an idea to target some of the individual backbench MP's with letter, sadly my MP is Labour :face-crying:, and will likely oppose the bill anyway (will write or visit anyway to confirm).
The head of the National Trust was on Newsnight and I thought gave a very good account of himself, saying that developers were laughing their faces off, not believing what an easy time they'd get of it.
I believe the minister, did, however, say that he would invite the National Trust (and perhaps other interested bodies) to private meetings to discuss the framework. Have no idea if more "straight up" archaeological bodies such as EH and the IFA will be able to muscle in on this though.
The BBC has been reporting fairly extensively on this over the last week or two, saying that some backbench Conservatives and Lib Dems were not happy with the proposals, probably because they represent very leafy parts of the country. Maybe its an idea to target some of the individual backbench MP's with letter, sadly my MP is Labour :face-crying:, and will likely oppose the bill anyway (will write or visit anyway to confirm).