THE city council must start listening to the people of Morecambe, claims the resort's MP Geraldine Smith. The former councillor, who still lives in the West End, was speaking after planners gave the go-ahead to a controversial housing association development on the site of Battersby's coach depot.

Local residents, businesses, hoteliers and both ward councillors were against the North British Housing scheme to build 17 social houses in West End Road. She said: "The council has made the wrong decision. The people are right to believe that they are not being listened to and members have a big job on their hands to persuade the people of Morecambe that it is actually listening to their concerns." Ward Councillor Trevor Tattersall said he was very upset about the decision.

"This means that another 70 people will be moving into an area that's got nowhere for children to play and has its fair share of problems," he said.

"There's no work for the people living here already so what's the point of building houses for more people. I'm very upset and concerned for the people in my ward. Building one playground and a mosaic in Parliament Street is not going to solve the area's problems."

Pictured: MP Geraldine Smith

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