Recent correspondence through the letters page indicates clearly that readers now have a total lack of confidence in South Hams District Council from a planning point of view.

This relates particularly to the joint local plan, where it appears that our councillors have either knowingly approved a plan containing housing numbers that are far too high and against the interests of the South Hams, or have failed to investigate properly and understand the detail behind the housing numbers put forward for our district by the Plymouth-based strategic planners. Either way, we have been let down badly by our elected representatives.

As a result, trust in the system and the people involved is at a very low ebb. One wonders whose side they are on. Are our councillors not elected to represent and defend our interests? Or are they just there to rubber-stamp central government ­policy – and to collect the New Homes Bonus on behalf of the local authority?

We deserve answers and reassurances concerning future policy regarding these critical matters that affect us all.

The essential character and appearance of the South Hams is being changed detrimentally before our eyes, and SHDC bears considerable responsibility for this sad state of affairs.

Martin Ranwell

Tuckers Brook

Modbury