SIR,

Within 100 yards of my house are building plots with planning permission forced through by county council against local and town council opposition.

Opposite my house is a building plot for a totally out-of-character five small bedroom mansion forced through at third attempt against town and county council planning commitee decisions and considerable local opposition.

Behind this 'approved' development, massive additions to an already grossly extended cottage and a garage built without planning permission have been approved on appeal by the Welsh planning inspectorate against the democratic decision of both town and county planning committees and officials.

No building activity has been observed on any site apart from footings being laid to the mansion site to beat the five-year deadline before permission is revoked.

The cottage for rent next door has been empty for six months, the house opposite is for sale (again) as no tenant has been found and the adjoining house on my other side is now let after not selling and being empty for many years.

The old hospital which we are told is to be developed still exhibits a 'for sale' sign. Where are all these people who need housing in Monmouth?

I see no encouraging planning applications for factories, schools, shops, community centres, churches, roads, doctors/ dentist surgeries, leisure centres, new roads, A and E facilities etc.

I know companies in the building industry who have stopped building because they have not sold what they've already built.

When are those designated to accommodate our 'needs' and 'welfare' going to exhibit common sense rather than chase impossible irresponsible targets imposed by those so far removed from real life they may as well live on Mars?

Now there's a target.

Adrian Powdrill

(Monmouth)