SIR,

It was in the Beacon of 26th October that I first read of Monmouthshire County Council's (MCC) decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the Dixton Road Clinic site with access through The Burgage.

Monmouth Town Council had turned down the application twice and MCC once – and that was after an independent investigator had rejected the plans with access through The Burgage.

This time there was no consultation, but a letter was sent to MCC on 16th October on behalf of the residents of The Burgage.

When MCC was asked about a response to the letter the answer was 'It cannot be found, please resend it'.

At busy times, an emergency vehicle cannot easily get to The Burgage because of the traffic jam in St James' Square, as we residents experience and avoid such times if we can.

The safe and quick access to the new development of the Dixton Road Clinic is via the new Dixton Road from the Ross roundabout.

After the first rejection by MCC, the highways department agreed that the developer could have access to the site from Dixton Road.

The developer said he was not prepared to change his plans.

In view of this, why didn't MCC insist that the developer use the Dixton Road access?

Is it too late for MCC to answer the safety questions of the residents of the area and of Monmouth Comprehensive School – and to change this decision?

Hazel Eyles

(Monmouth)