Tom Windle, of Galmpton, near Kingsbridge, writes:

I have read the on-going controversy regarding solar farms and wind turbines with both interest and fascination.

To me the question is quite simple; either this is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or it is not, as with pregnancy, one is either pregnant or not.

My personal bugbear is waste. If any of our political masters had real courage they would tackle mindless packaging, excessive use of plastic bags and promote reuse as opposed to recycling. Any real policy decisions in these respects would have a significant impact on energy consumption, pollution, environmental damage and carbon emissions; but I digress.

What really caught my attention was the, how can I say it, 'outburst' of Cllr Julian Brazil describing solar farms as looking 'not dissimilar to concentration camps'.

I do hope the Gazette – my source of information – quoted him correctly. Concentration camps were heinous, solar farms are hideous. There is a difference.

I might have passed over this remark had it not been for the follow up comment that district councillors' hands were tied by central Government ministers : 'We are told by the planning minister to press ahead with them', Gazette, April 26.

On reading this comment my recollection of history was reawakened and Cllr Brazil's war time allusion came sharply into focus.

Was this not the infamous Nuremberg defence – 'I was only following orders'?

Well South Hams councillors, if you are only 'following orders' would you please implement the Localism Act that has been enacted for a year and which, if one is to believe the South Hams Society newsletter and debate, you are in no hurry to embrace.

Cllr Brazil take note – you are on the planning committee!