Sir,

While I sympathise with the problems experienced by Pauline Cass caused by congestion in Monmouth, I am afraid that she has underestimated the future problems that will occur.

The 440 new houses are only half the problem of the LDP.

The total number of new houses destined for Monmouth is double this figure. As well as the 400-plus houses planned for greenfield sites at Wonastow Road and Wyesham, there are another 400-plus houses planned for sites already identified in the present UDP and windfall sites in gardens and the like.

This year alone we have seen large developments being started on the school site at Wyesham, the old Jones Houses site and the Croft-y-Bwla site.

Planning permission has been given for 24 flats on the old hospital site and 32 flats on the old Dixton Road clinic site.

The infrastructure of Monmouth is already creaking and the passing of the LDP will ensure that the character of Monmouth will be changed forever.

For information, the following local councillors voted for the LDP; Liz Hackett Pain (Wyesham), Sue White (Wonastow), Ruth Edwards (Llantilio Crossenny), and Geoff Burrows (Mitchel Troy).

Perhaps your readers would like to contact their local representatives and ask them the reasons why they wish to grow Monmouth to a level the infrastructure cannot support.

Bob Hayward

(Monmouth)