FOR some time, I have lived next to a little wood and enjoyed the peace and miracle of this gift of nature.

A few weeks ago as I returned home, I was surprised to see the sky black with migrating starlings. Next day, woken by the ominous whine of chainsaws clearing the wood, I knew the starlings had sensed the impending destruction and acted fast. Starlings are survivors!

A pair of tawny owls weren't so lucky. They tried to move to the trees next to the proposed Lidl development only to be followed by the arrival of the developers shortly afterwards. They did try to return to their old home and it was pathetic to hear their disorientated cries in the one or two 'protected' oak trees left around the muddy patch which had been their home.

But I guess the image which haunts me is that of a song thrush outlined against the sky. She was perched high on a great wall of rubble and earth, her wings flattened and just staring, not moving as though frozen in shock, at the desolation she saw.

Margaret Jeffery

19 Oaklands Residential Park

Glendale Road, Okehampton

DESPITE the fact that Lidl did not have full planning permission for their store, proposed to be built on the old primary school playing field, it did not prevent them from instructing their contractor to clear the site and begin the construction work.

Does Lidl look like a company that relies on the goodwill of the community or one that will be a good corporate citizen? I don't think so! Does this look like a company that cares about the sensitivity of this riverside site, a site that is important to the whole ambience of this town? I don't think so!

The planning situation was that before planning permission was issued to Lidl, the concerns of the Environment Agency had to be addressed. These concerns are also those of members of the Ockment River Improvement Programme.

They are that the seven-metre buffer zone recommended by the Environment Agency is respected; this is in favour of the well being of the flora and fauna, providing a corridor for the wildlife, not to mention the river environment for the people.

Recently, Lidl commenced works on a proposed store site on Marsh Barton Estate in Exeter prior to receiving planning permission. The difference there was that Exeter Council issued an injunction, in short order, to have the work stopped. Why did this not happen here in Okehampton? Why were Lidl allowed to work without full planning permission for more than two weeks?

It's unbelievable!

Alan Finch

16 Station Road

Okehampton