Madam, The horrific child abuse scandal in Rotherham and similar incidents in all-too-many places around the country can only mean one thing. All public bodies and private businesses must now place child safeguarding at the very top of their agendas and every action they take must be considered in the light of the impact it may have on children. That being the case, I would like through your pages to invite the building company proposing to build houses slap-bang-next-door to Lea's widely-admired primary school to show some compassion towards the village's children and withdraw its application for outline planning permission. The school has already expressed its strong opposition to the project because it fears that the planned development may attract those who have a less-than-healthy interest in its pupils and its views are supported by the Lea Action Group, Lea Parish Council and numerous anxious parents. Some of the proposed houses will give occupiers a grandstand view of the classrooms and playground with potentially unpleasant implications. If the firm concerned, a well-established and reputable business with an enviable reputation for building quality homes, is not prepared to do the decent thing and scrap the scheme, then Herefordshire Council should refuse planning permission. It would then be open to the company to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate if it felt it had grounds for doing so: and if it really and truly felt that such an action would be an appropriate step to take in the circumstances.

Steve Banner, Lea