IR,

Having followed the Meend Farm debate with some interest, I feel it's time to add my opinion.

Having been involved in agriculture all my life, I was more fortunate than others to grow up on a farm, whereas my more enthusiastic contemporaries, who were less fortunate, had to follow the long hard road of signing up for a council farm and waiting for one to become available.

It was the spirit of the 'council farm' that allowed those who wanted to work in Monmouthshire's historic industry, and who did not have the financial means to purchase one on the open market, to do so.

Yet for council officers to allow someone who is independently wealthy, and in a better position than most to compete in the open market, to acquire part of a council farm, without having to wait their turn, is wrong.

I feel Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) officers were so keen to add some celebrity status to the county, comparisons having being made with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls River Cottage, that they failed to follow their own guidelines for 'due process' – a mistake for which they apologised, but yet still refused to follow.

It surely follows that Kate Humble will be granted her request, MCC can trumpet their new found national status, pose for pictures with the celebrities, and pat themselves on the back with the knowledge that the county now has been put firmly on the map.

Yet I feel that a promising young farming family has now become marginalised and another young man has been frustrated at his chance to break his back on the land for the industry he loves.

(Name and address supplied)