Dear Editor,

I cannot help but be astonished by how few villages in Herefordshire are seriously committed to implementing Neighbourhood Development Plans. Weston-under-Penyard is one of the few, shining, exceptions to what is fast becoming a rather- depressing rule.

Admittedly such plans cannot halt all housing development. Developers are obliged to take their contents into account however and their failure to do so can have a major bearing on whether planning permission for their proposals is granted or not.

So when a Neighbourhood Development Plan questionnaire drops through your letter box, as has been happening in the Lea in recent weeks, don’t sling it in the bin.

Instead, fill it in and send it back. In the Lea’s case you should drop it off at the village stores which holds extra copies, just in case yours has gone missing.

That carefully-thought-out questionnaire gives you a golden opportunity to state your views on how you want your community to evolve over the next few years.

You’re being asked your opinion for once. Don’t lose the opportunity to voice it.

Steve Banner

Lea