MADAM, Nobody with any sense will pretend that a village's Neighbourhood Development Plan will stop all unwanted proposals for new housing in their tracks. Once ratified however, it can have a major influence on the development that is permitted and on the shape and character of the village concerned. The great beauty of such plans is that they are a genuine reflection of the wants and needs of villagers because of the input villagers have in their creation. That is why it is vitally important that as many of Lea's residents as possible attend the first Neighbourhood Development Plan meeting to be held at Lea Village Hall at 7.30pm, tonight, Wednesday, November 26th. If you attend, you can make your views count - and have a real say in Lea's future. Steve Banner, Lea