Madam, How heartily I sympathise with Graham Thwaites and his fellow villagers in Bridstow in their battle to stop unwanted development.

Mr Thwaites was absolutely right in his letter in last week's issue. Developers are being allowed to ride rough-shod over the wishes of umpteen communities in their eagerness to obtain planning consents before Neighbourhood Development Plans can be put into place; and never mind the long-term consequences for the communities concerned.

Lea alone is facing three major applications for outline planning permission which have little or nothing to recommend them and have received next to no support from villagers. In my view Herefordshire Council should start standing up for local voters and take a far tougher line when applications come up for determination; and only sanction those that have demonstrable merit and will genuinely benefit the communities concerned.

Steve Banner, Lea