I AM writing to express my complete amazement at what you call your democratic council process.

I accompanied a friend, last Thursday evening, wishing to attend a meeting of the Burrator Parish Council planning committee as she was a little nervous. She wanted to support the objections to a planning application to extend Yennadon Quarry.

Thirty or more people were there objecting and supporting those residents who wished to speak against the application. Not one person was in favour and yet the committee, in two or three short minutes, talked around the subject and gave their consent to the application after one rather forceful lady councillor said that without the approval, a number of quarry workers may lose their jobs in two or three years' time. This really was a travesty.

The objectors stated quite clearly what the noise, dust, vibration and general upheaval to the peace and quiet of the national park and local residents would mean.

Only the chairman seemed to be acquainted with the facts and only he, it seems, had visited the site or read the whole of the application and comments from local residents.

The result, as can be imagined, was a farce. The decision was to approve with conditions, but no one was prepared to state what those conditions should be.

If this is an example of your local democracy at work, I can only say I am very glad that I live in Wales. At least, there, the residents are listened to!

A Rosman

Llandeilo

Carmarthenshire