John Dodwell, of Veales Road, Westville, Kingsbridge, writes: Mr Geoffrey Fielden's letter of March 13 regarding the proposed RA1 development in Modbury makes me reflect on Bloor Homes' woeful efforts on the Batson Cross development near Salcombe. To say it is an eyesore is an understatement. It dominates the scene as you approach Salcombe and again the tallest house is on the highest point on the site. I don't understand why any building is allowed on the skyline but if it has to be why not bungalows and other low-rise buildings? Bloor Homes appear simply to pull standard designs 'off the shelf' without any thought for the topography of the site. And in bad weather such 'skyline' houses will surely be very uncomfortable places to live. So why do the planners allow these developments? In recent years their decisions have done immense damage to Salcombe in particular, the former Marine Hotel site being a prime example. Crude overdevelopment has spoiled the view down the estuary from Cliff House and blotted out any view of the water in front of the hotel from the public rooms. And it seems that almost all the parking spaces for patrons have been lost. It looks as though the planners have given up any real attempt to preserve the special nature of the South Hams. If this is because the potential cost of opposing controversial developments is too great, then changes need to be made to Government planning policies. The bias in favour of necessary housing developments to thwart Nimbyism is understandable, but if this prevents criticism not just of poor housing designs but of hotels, pv farms and the rest, as seems to be happening, it is having disastrous effects. And the Government's professed belief in 'localism' seems to be without foundation. And since providing employment is often cited, particularly for hotels, I can't help wondering how many jobs will go to local people.