SIR,

There have been several letters in these columns on the subject of the temporary, or otherwise, road constructed from Ancre Hill and cutting across the fields of Croft-y-Bwla towards the 84 dwellings now under construction.

This road will also serve as access to Monmouth's third golf course, with driving range and a hotel and conference centre.

The hotel is planned to be built near Offa's Dyke Path where it enters Whitehill Wood. Plans can be viewed on the county council's website as App No 2008/01407.

Work has been underway for some months, pushing back field boundaries and reseeding old pastures.

What now of the fields between this new road and the town? Infill?

Developers know they can sell every house they build in Monmouth. With Vauxhall now under threat it must be time to take a stand before we lose more of our green fields and our infrastructure is overwhelmed.

All towns experience growth but the way it is going Monmouth could one day become one big housing estate.

Onto a different subject; the shortage of parking spaces.

The market occupies about 32 spaces every Friday and Saturday. Relocating the market back into the square where it belongs would free these spaces and encourage more shoppers.

Our other car park, at the rear of Cornwall House, becomes impossible to access at busy times when traffic queuing for the Waitrose car park is backed out on to the access road.

We have seen many changes in Monmouth over the years. Many businesses are no more. The likes of Howard and Duncan in their butcher's shops, Wiggie's Bread, Phil in the veg shop and other local traders need our support.

They give Monmouth so much of its character. Let's hang on to them and to our green fields.

Pete Hopkins

(Monmouth)