Cllr Paul Coulson, of Follaton House, Totnes, writes: I regret that you saw fit to publish a letter from Dr Goldsworthy, Gazette, April 17, criticising me personally ­without any attempt to check the facts. He accused me of disregarding the value of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by supporting development at the Batson Cross site in Salcombe. When the development plan was being formulated our ­officers preferred further ­modest development on the Croft Fields site, adjoining Shadycombe Creek. This would have 'consolidated' the town and protected the AONB from further development in the countryside. This proposal was opposed by my fellow district councillor, the town council and the chairman of the South Hams Society, among others. I was alone in supporting it. As a result my fellow members on the planning committee – following a site visit heavily attended by members of the community – listened to public opinion and chose the Batson Cross site as the only viable alternative. This decision was subsequen-tly ratified by an independent planning inspector after a full public hearing, at which, as a member of the planning committee that had taken that collective decision, I was unable to express a dissenting view. The result of that decision is reaching fruition and the ­community in Salcombe will now have ample opportunity to reflect on who was right – South Hams Council's planning officers or vox pop.