RECENTLY a proposal to build 22 houses on the Manor Farm site in Urchfont was supported by the planning staff at Kennet District Council then turned down unanimously by the complete council on the grounds that: "The proposed development of 22 dwellings would constitute an over-development of the site, out of scale with the character and open appearance of this part of the conservation area".

Previous objections were the same for the plan including: over-development, lack of green/open spaces, significant increases in traffic around the limited area at the centre of the village, serious problems with access via Friars Lane and lack of conformity to Conservation and Minimum Change Area guidelines.

Now, some six months later, John Snook, the owner of this site, having parted company with his developer partners, Charles Church, has submitted his own scheme under his direct control. He asks for permission to build 22 houses on the same site.

No doubt Mr Snook will be backed by the same council staff who supported the earlier scheme. The repeat exercise will incur further expense for the taxpayers.

Clearly, this is being done on the basis of wearing everyone down, so that all but the developer will tire of the matter and this scheme will slip through by default.

Somewhat belatedly, Urchfont Parish Council decided, wisely, to take constructive action and consulted the entire village as to what they would like to see on the site, with a view to discussions with the owner, John Snook. A considerable amount of work was done. Mr Snook, a parish councillor himself, was approached. He refused to discuss the matter with his own council. He instead proceeded with efforts to obtain planning permission for an almost identical scheme to the one so recently refused.

All this, really, is a disgrace. Unless the people of Urchfont, let alone the wider county, want their village ruined, they should do all they can to influence Kennet District Council to stop this cruel plan.

D HARRISON

Urchfont