SIR,

I've heard that other developers want to destroy the beautiful landscape of Monmouthshire.

According to the story in the Beacon last week, a developer has selected 45 acres of agricultural land near Wentwood forest to create a solar farm, but the problem is that the land is in Special Landscape Area.

Monmouthshire County Council has already decided that the landscape is very important because of its beauty. The purpose of the Special Landscape Area is to protect the landscape in order to save its special features.

Currently the council is asking people in the area to respond to the planning application. Some people in the area have very forcibly said that they do not want to see the landscape destroyed in this way.

But the council has not been fair to the whole community by giving only 21 days to submit their objections to the council.

The council should realise that the time before Christmas is very busy. The council should give more time for people to come together and discuss their concerns.

It is absolutely outrageous that the people who work in the planning department can put the needs of the developer before the needs of people who pay their salaries, which is the ordinary people of Monmouthshire.

Thankfully the councillors on the planning committee understand the importance of preserving the heritage of our county.

Recently, the council rejected a request by Camborne Energy plan to build massive solar farm in Llanvapley near Abergavenny. I hope the council will do the same this time.

Les Taylor

(Llanvapley)

Christmas