SIR,

The Local Development Plan prepared by Monmouthshire County Council was presumably the best possible, given the many conflicting interests involved.

As you reported on the 12th February, a government appointed inspector recommended changes to that plan.

Whether or not there were discussions between the inspector and the council, these changes are "bending" on the council. The council cannot alter or ignore any of them. The only power left to the council is that of adopting or rejecting the plan as amended by the inspector.

Moreover, I am reliably informed that even this power is illusory because, if rejected, the Welsh Government can approve and impose the inspector's plan and recover from the council any consequent costs.

Of course, it may be that this situation is well-known to your readers, but I cannot help reflecting that, clearly, "local democracy" has more than one definition.

VF Kimber

(Penallt)