Sir,

On 22nd November a decision will be taken in Caldicot that will affect the people and town of Monmouth more than any other decision in recent history.

The decision will be taken by the 43 elected councillors of Monmouthshire County Council and will be whether to approve the Local Development Plan.

A major part of this plan is the proposal to build almost 400 houses on the flood prone site at Wonastow Road.

Despite the presentation of a petition signed by 1,219 people who objected strongly to the development of the site and the written objections of hundreds of ordinary residents during the consultation process, it is likely that the motion will be passed and the Local Development Plan will be sent to the Welsh Government for approval.

What is even more disappointing is that the decision is likely to be made on political grounds rather than in the interests of the residents of Monmouth.

The Conservative/ Liberal Democrat group will probably vote together as a block to ensure the decision is to approve the Local Development Plan.

This collective vote is despite the fact that most of these councillors voted against the individual applications in their own wards at the meeting in July 2011.

This Conservative/ Liberal group used their collective muscle to defeat a proposal to hold the debate at a separate meeting in order to give councillors more time to debate the issues.

The 12 new councillors elected last May have never debated the LDP issues in full Council.

The Local Development Plan affects not only Monmouth but will change Chepstow, Abergavenny and Portskewett for ever.

I would urge everyone to contact their local councillor and ask that they vote in the best interests of the public and not for the sake of party politics.

The vote on 22nd November will demonstrate whether they have listened to you.

County Councillor Bob Hayward

(Dixton with Osbaston ward)