KIDDERMINSTER Civic Society applauds the courage and vision of those on the district council's planning committee who backed the cinema complex proposal for Crossley Park.
It was a welcome sign that the civic pride seen in the hospital campaign is alive and well in the council.
Those councillors made it clear that planning rules do not exist for their own sake, but must have a purpose.
By contrast, the position taken by Labour councillors was difficult to fathom.
They appear to be saying two things - that the people of Wyre Forest shall not have what they want, and the point of planning is to keep to the rules.
Councillor Jamie Shaw had counted 23 processes which had been flouted.
It is incredible that in his book, taking a narrow view of the rules and following the officer's recommendation passes for "guts".
The true courage was shown by the Conservative, Health Concern and Liberal councillors, who decided they were going to make sure the rules serve the town, and not the other way round.
The potential of the Weavers Wharf development remains enormous, not just for retail outlets, but for an attraction such as a museum.
Yet Councillor Chris Nicholls attempted to argue that it will be destroyed by the Crossley Park proposal.
This suggests that the present Labour Party is short of ideas for the former Brintons site.
They should draw inspiration from their predecessors in office on the council, who enthusiastically pursued plans for an arts centre.
A medium-sized music/theatre venue would give an enduring boost to the town centre, whereas cinema can go in and out of fashion.
In the civic society's campaign to bring cultural facilities to the town, partly by using the old industrial buildings, we have not yet heard from the Labour Party.
If they could start to be positive, the campaign would be greatly strengthened.
It would create the possibility of a political consensus which might be necessary to really make something of the town centre.
NIGEL GILBERT
Town Centre Group
Kidderminster Civic Society
Tynings Close, Kidderminster
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