IN response to the letter from Mr Hillson in last week's Times we wish to present the facts of our case. The October planning committee voted in favour of granting permission subject to a S.106 agreement being in place to rescind use of the current facilities when new ones are available, and to refuse it only if this agreement was not in place within three months. Owing to a misunderstanding between ourselves and the planning officer as to the status of this agreement it was not ready within the deadline, and this technicality resulted in the proposal to refuse the application.

Our withdrawal of the application was a tactical decision to allow more time to explore the S.106 options. The application will shortly be re-submitted, with all details provided.

To show how much local support the project has, we refer readers to the fact that we have received donations from 'Villages in Action', the Bere Ukes, the Tavy Tars, the committee of 'BereFest', the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group, The Bere Ferrers Community Shop and Café, Babcock International, and others. We also have grants from the Belinda O'Flynn Trust, Devon County Council, The Tamar Valley AONB, West Devon Borough Council and the Devon Community Foundation via the Dulverton Trust, club members have donated over £25,000, and the application is supported by the parish council.

These people and organisations recognise the value and real need for this replacement facility which will allow any member of the local community to continue to enjoy the sociable and health-giving activities of sailing and rowing at Weir Quay, as they have for the last 45 years, at extremely low cost.

The current facilities are available on a short-term basis only and will eventually be withdrawn. Without new facilities the closure of two thriving, viable and valuable community sports clubs, the sailing club and the gig club, will be inevitable, a real loss to the community for generations to come.

M Street

On behalf of the Trustees of Weir Quay Community Watersports