ON behalf of the Bere Alston Action group, I ask Cllr Connelly (Letters April 6) just when he suggests the residents of Bere Alston should have submitted their views on the effect that the Local Plan would have on the community. This group has campaigned continually over the six years from the first draft stage and received support not only from many scores of individuals but from the independent Inspector appointed to hold the inquiry into the plan, who singled the village out as the only one not suitable for significant development, primarily on grounds of environment and access. Our main concern now is to seek to minimise the threat to the safety and well being of the community that will be caused by the significant increase of traffic via roads which already carry much more traffic than they were ever designed for. To this end the development must be preceded by substantial road improvements. Cllr Connelly and his fellow councillors of all parties must realise that imperious disregard of a community?s wishes and views is a principal cause of the massive abstentions from voting that have become such a sad part of our political life. Mr Connelly?s lecture on democracy sounds particularly hollow against this background.

Mike Benson 10 The Square Bere Alston