Madam, There have been several letters in the Ross Gazette over the last few weeks concerning numerous planning applications to build houses in Lea. Yet another application has now been submitted, this time to build 38 homes adjacent to the B4222 on the outskirts of the village. With three other major applications already on the table, this brings the total number of houses being applied for to 157. At this time there are around 218 properties in the village so, if all the applications are approved, the number of houses in Lea would jump to 375 .....an increase of almost 60% which would totally overwhelm the community and local services. Most villagers in Lea accept the fact that some building is both desirable and necessary and Lea Parish Council have already agreed to one application to build houses at the back of the garage in the middle of the village....a sensible location with good pedestrian access to all services in the village. Now is the time for a sense of proportion to prevail in Lea. It is very easy to apply to build houses if you are fortunate enough to own land in the village and, if the application succeeds, you will be the winner and the losers will be the rest of us in the village. Hopefully Herefordshire Council will see sense and severely limit the approval of any applications in Lea to something that will benefit and not destroy the village.

Robbie Robertson, Lea