We cannot agree with the front-page article, Gazette, June 9, in which Julian Brazil accuses South Hams District Council of “not attempting to fight the appeal and wasting taxpayers’ money” and that he was “utterly dismayed with SHDC’s attempt to fight the appeal”.

You have not made any attempt to speak to any other members of the development management committee for any other views. Cllr Gilbert is one of the local members for Kingsbridge, but is not a ­member of the committee.

We both attended all the appeal hearing proceedings, which Cllr Brazil did not. We were both of the opinion that the officers presenting the case for the council made a very good job of it and told them so immediately afterwards.

It was indeed very disappointing that the inspector did not agree with the committee’s decision, but it was certainly not due to lack of effort or ­performance by council officers that the appeal was lost.

Cllr Robert Steer, chairman, and Cllr Judy Pearce, member,

SHDC Development Management Committee