SIR,

In response to Lt Col Scoullers letter of 2nd March about our planning application, we are saddened to find that what we, and the planning officer with whom we consulted before applying, believed was an uncontroversial amendment to an existing permission, has caused such an uproar on the Farhill side of the valley.

People we have never met from two miles away are writing in.

David Scouller moved in only months ago and clearly has not yet experienced how Llanishen resolves any concerns between neighbours – we talk to them.

Mr Scouller, a simple phone call would have resulted in many of the misconceptions and inaccuracies in your objections being resolved.

But possibly as you feel the siting of the yurts 'in your back yard' – (though 150 m from your house and completely out of sight), was not in your interests while whipping up support based on 'misconceptions' was.

This has been our home for nine years – we are a Best Gwent Wildlife Farm site, manage the land under an environmental scheme called Tir Gofal (care of the land) and are active members of Monmouthshire Meadows Group – all of whom have been consulted and do not object (neither does the bio diversity officer of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC)).

We are proposing a very low key and highly sustainable form of tourism – not a quad bike centre, a clay pigeon shoot or paintballing.

The new yurts are intended for those of our guests who would like a complete nature retreat to enjoy all that this stunning valley offers.

We have worked tirelessly for nine years to transform the barren wasteland we bought in 2003 – the result of years of overgrazing by hundreds of sheep – into a rich tapestry of flora and fauna.

Thirty years of blocked footpaths were cleared by us with the help of the local footpaths department.

As to the unanimous objection by the Trellech United Community Council (TUCC), it was not just me that was ambushed at the parish meeting, but the councillor with responsibility for planning, to whom all objections should have been sent.

One could applaud your success in the TUCC battle, but we have complete faith in MCC's planning department to assess our application on non emotive points of planning law and economic benefit to the area.

If the application is refused we will of course be able to put up the original, larger yurts in the existing field where they will be visible to the south side of the valley – the fact that we were willing to downgrade the size (and therefore the potential income to us) is testament to our desire to ensure minimal impact in the valley

Llanishen is an amazing village – a fabulous community of people from all walks of life with a village hall in daily use for a huge variety of activities.

It is interesting to note that not one person south of the valley has objected – ie those who have five years of meeting our guests as they walk and drive through the village.

We use exclusively local contractors, provide employment for five people (all still with us) and our guests bring much needed income to this rural area.

Anyone with any concerns is welcome to come and view our current site, the new proposed sites, view the yurts and talk to us from 2pm on Sunday 13th March.

Amanda and Peter Copp

(Llanishen)