SIR,

I was surprised and rather concerned to read the letter from David Scouller of Llanishen that appeared in last week's Beacon.

As a democratically elected representative for the ward of Llanishen since 1998, I was involved in the original discussions prior to planning applications of 'The Hidden Valley' enterprise in 2005.

The owners erected a yurt and invited all in sundry to view it.

A considerable number of people, mostly from Llanishen, turned out and I remember that a carnival atmosphere ensued even though the able bodied were asked to unload a large trailer at the time.

In 2006 I presented the original application received from Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) to The Trellech United Community Council (TUCC) which was unanimously approved.

Some time later I presented a second application for a variation on the original which was again unanimously approved.

This is where I have to raise my first concern with David Scouller's letter.

I knew that presenting the second application to TUCC the question of noise and other matters would be raised by members of the council.

I cleared the noise factor with various departments of MCC, including environment and enforcement and  neither had issues to raise.

Prior to writing this letter, enquiries at MCC have again proved negative as to noise, so why has he raised an issue that nobody in authority is aware of, least of all the two elected representatives and the county councillor for the area?

My second issue with Mr Scouller trivial it may be, is that he has sought advice from a councillor from outside of the ward in which the application and he resides.

Why not come to one or both of the two elected representatives for Llanishen?

By involving Councillor Alan Poulter of Trellech, who, for whatever reason, failed to tell me or my colleague that he was involving himself in our area has certainly put Councillor Poulter and myself on a collision course.

Mr Scouller, as a retired senior army officer, will be well aware of the expression 'chain of command' similarities, in courtesy, good manners etc, exist even in the very lower echelons of local government.

Ron Hempstead

(Community Councillor, Llanishen Ward)