COUNCILLORS in Falmouth and Penryn have decided to take a stand over plans to increase students numbers at the Penryn Campus – and the public is right behind them.

So far behind them, in fact, that at recent meetings of the councils’ two planning committees, not a single resident was there to raise their own objections to the proposal.

Following weeks of anti-expansionist rhetoric on Facebook pages and from campaign meetings, the council chambers over the last two Mondays rang hollow, rather than resounding with voices raised in righteous ire.

As resentment against the university has grown over the last few months, many have complained online, in the press, and on the Packet’s own letters page, about a perceived lack of democracy over the issue. 

It has been said that the planning process is geared against residents and local councils are denying those they serve the right to speak.

But when the chance comes, and an application is finally aired at a meeting open to public participation: nothing but empty chairs.

Democracy is a two-way street: You can only be represented when if you turn up. Opinions can’t be heard from your armchair. Sure, not everyone can turn up to a Monday evening meeting, but if there are really so many people opposed to the plans, surely they could find one or two spokespeople?

It’s all well and good for local Wolfie Smiths to hold their own little meetings and write letters – even if they do go in prior to an actual application – but unless they plan on staging a revolution then engaging in the democratic process is the first step. Not just whining about the lack of it.

Neither town council has accepted the university plans, but they came to that decision alone.