Janette Parker, of Teign View, Chudleigh Knighton, writes:
I live in a rural village and am constantly concerned about the lack of voice rural villages have about how our communities are developed in this ever expanding world and how it is ignored by planners and government alike.
Because we are often an island surrounded by green fertile land we are seen by developers and neighbouring urban areas as ideal pickings to meet their own needs – the urban sprawl easily consuming the needs of the few.
This results in expansion at the cost of local people who have to move out because they can no longer afford to live where they grew up.
I'm not in favour of the nimby syndrome; rural communities need to be sensitively developed to meet the needs of the families and business that live there, for local people to be heard as to what their vision for their community is and for resources to be sensitively managed to ensure the community is sustainable.
So why isn't our voice heard?
One reason is because urban areas have a bigger voice in local government. and can simply overcome rural areas.
Another is because of the apathy of many electors who don't use their vote or voice to ensure local issues are addressed by those who are elected to represent them or call them to account.
A third is because people have stopped getting involved and are quite happy to leave issues to the few who do put themselves forward.
Now you may or may not agree with me, but I urge you to use the forthcoming elections to elect the council you would want to represent your community needs.
Otherwise, you face the consequences of waking up to a community that has been built in which you have had very little say in and you no longer want or are able to live in.
Make democracy work for you – get involved.