SIR

As regards to last weeks letters, Cllr Bradley's letter contained several false statements regarding the old school site development at Wyesham that need to be corrected.

The idea that the developer has somehow run out of money, is unable to sell the houses and requires MCC involvement is completely make-believe. The development is on schedule and with demand so great the houses are being sold faster than they are being built.

The other letter by Chris Williams was entirely negative, demanded respect while showing none and fell to the point in calling me names, a clear sign he had lost the argument.

My letter a couple of weeks ago was nothing about smoke and mirrors. Life is too short and in any case my preferred tactic is to go straight through the front door with all guns blazing, it's faster and more enjoyable. My letter was clear as was my position at the last election as appeared on my election leaflets. Yes I am in favour of development and prefer a proactive approach rather than a negative, obstinate approach.

For decades many people in Monmouth and its councillors have been opposed to development, unwilling to negotiate and with the town of Monmouth being relatively small, this has been overridden time and again. No additional services have been provided but why should outside bodies care when faced with an unresponsive opposition to developments. Yet despite these failures the council continues to use the same tactics which will inevitably result in more of the same.

My approach is quite different. I accept there is a need for more housing in the country and Monmouth must do its bit like every other town. The recent developments in Rockfield and the proposed developments in Wonastow will not be the last and in the future it is likely there will be equally large if not larger developments, within Overmonnow, Rockfield, Osbaston and Wyesham.

You can either accept this and work proactively, having a dialogue about the developments to provide better services or use the same old negative tactic, then find out you get more of the same – development without services.

I will not lie to you. Even if you use a proactive approach there is no guarantee of better services but the past has shown that Monmouth has not received any for being in opposition to development. So you can follow the past negative tactics with the inevitable resulting failure or follow my proactive positive approach and open a dialogue and put your energy into seeking the best deal for Monmouth within future developments. The Choice is yours.

Stuart Wilson

(Monmouth)