CLLR Waterhouse (Letters, May 16) once again misses the point of Mr Warne and Miss Steers' earlier letters and writes in the ambiguous style that fails the DNPA draft plan.

The plan should state in plain English: 'We have built enough houses. No more new houses will be built, except (number) of approved housing association, on these (list) sites, in these (list) urban centres.'

The plan is the basis of all applications and appeals. It fails where refusals and appeals are based on interpretation rather than plain English statements. The first draft is fat too woolly in its wording and the local need policies are wide open to exploitation.

Mr Warne was right, the environment must come first, building must be justified and truly 'affordable' housing should have strong ongoing price controls. The draft plan suggests these but does not go far enough. I have to question the cost and the value of the reports from independent consultants on which these plans are based. I have not met anyone who was 'consulted'.

No-one has criticised the good intent of the plan, we have only said it needs tighter controls to avoid exploitation of the environment and financial gains.

My four children all left Meavy as no housing was available and new build was unthinkable. Miss Steers is 24 years old with 150 years family in Meavy. If anyone deserves an affordable home here, it is the likes of them. If they are joining the call to put environment first and sacrificing such personal gains, then DNPA really should take note.

Service before self. It's a lesson some councillors could learn from our young.

Mr and Mrs Borbon

St Helen's

Meavy