homes

SIR,

Readers of last week's Beacon would have read the list of candidates nominated for Monmouthshire County Council in the forthcoming elections in May.

Interestingly two Tory councillors; Alan Wintle and Bob Hayward are now standing as independents, having been de-selected by the Tory Party for having the courage to vote against Monmouth County Council's (MCC) Local Development Plan.

Despite being threatened with de-selection, they took into account that the majority of local residents were against any more huge developments in Monmouth, how refreshing. Well done Bob and Alan.

Presumably the candidates chosen by the Tories to oppose Alan and Bob have been well vetted and instructed by the party in the event that they are elected to represent the Drybridge and Osbaston Wards.

They will also know they have no choice but to toe the party line.

As we know, Monmouth is already struggling to cope. Services are being withdrawn systematically.

We have lost the Job Centre, the courts, now the front desks in the police stations.

Ambulance responses are haphazard, there are longer and longer waiting times for doctors appointments, NHS dentists, parking is at a premium, roads are jammed at peak times and schools are over crowded.

It is pretty obvious that this town would never cope with another 400 houses.

Here in Overmonnow the biggest concern if this development went ahead is flooding. It would definitely exacerbate the problem, Bob and Alan recognised this.

I am hoping that when the electorate go to the polls they will bear this in mind.

Sue Chivers

(Monmouth)