REFERRING to the town banners, anyone who erects or permits to be erected advertisements of this type requires permission under the advertisements regulations, failure to obtain this constitutes a breach of the law.

Similarly, anyone who takes or permits action to be taken which impacts upon a listed building requires consent under the Listed Building and Conservation Areas Act; failure to obtain this is a breach of the act. The town council has neither permission.

My point about West Devon Borough Council receiving a formal complaint simply stated that they had no alternative but to act. It is irrelevant whether such a complaint came from one or 51 people.

The borough council has the discretion whether or not it proceeds to enforcement action and thus far has decided not so to do but to try to reach an acceptable compromise. The conservation officer, who is a qualified planner, has been unfairly criticised and has tried very hard in company with officers of the town council to reach such a position. I find the comments about people's position 'on the food chain' offensive and contrary to my personal belief that all members of society are of equal worth.

Whether the borough council take enforcement action is a matter for them but in reaching such a decision they will need to ensure that they treat the town council in a manner similar to all the other organisations and individuals who have in the past and may in the future commit similar breaches.

I do not hold strong views on the banners but I do firmly believe that those of us who are elected to serve the public must be seen to uphold the law whether we agree with it or not. The town council is not nor should be above the law.

P R Sanders

Tavistock Town Councillor South Ward

I USED to work in advertisement control and have been intrigued by the debate about the banners — very reminiscent of 'Clochemerle'.

It seems to me that there is a very simple solution to satisfy all parties — give the banners listed status.

Malcolm Sainsbury

Dagmar Road

Cheltenham