Madam, You may have noticed that in recent months there has been an avalanche of new planning applications in the HR9 area. When you consider that for three years after the last General Election, the area was in "limbo" as regards to large scale housing development, why are we seeing so many now? I can only surmise that the housing developers wish to take full advantage of the Planning situation that exists at present, prior to any possible changes that may occur at the elections in May next year. Herefordshire Council has created a planning "Vacuum" by not submitting its Core Plan to Government for approval until September this year and also for failing to have a five year land bank of approved developments. Due to the ineptitude of the County Council it will now prove almost impossible to stop any of the new planning applications being approved, even if neighbourhood Plans exist or not. Any attempts to push through Neighbourhood Plans at this stage will be a fruitless exercise, as there is insufficient time to complete the application process and without a fully approved Core Plan they are totally invalid. So please talk to your County Councillors and determine when Planning control is likely to return to our County. Patrick Hughes Wilton