Rodney Helme, of College Road, Newton Abbot, writes:

Very many thanks for alerting your readers to the wholly inappropriate plan to insert five eco homes into the hillside at Church Fields on the western edge of the Wolborough Hill Conservation Area.

The points against this development were well made by the secretary of the Wolborough Residents' Association, but the applicant, Anthony Rew, is being somewhat disingenuous in claiming that the site is 'a small, disused corner of a farmer's field covered in brambles'.

In fact, only part of the lower development at the end of College Road could be so described as the remainder of this 1.75-acre site consists of open pasture where cattle regularly graze and residents enjoy fresh air and exercise.

The extensive views over Dartmoor and to the south are much admired by those who walk and picnic in the area, using the seating provided, and the planned development of five eco homes adjacent to the boundary of the St Mary's Church graveyard is, therefore, to be deplored.

It is also of particular concern that the current public rights of way could be affected, particularly during the construction stage should the development be approved, and that unless the gate adjacent to the church is retained and kept locked, a rat-run could eventually develop from the church to the proposed metalled extensions of College and South roads. This would avoid the chicane between Wolborough Barton Farm and St Mary's church and the speed bumps along the length of Coach Road.

All who enjoy the amenity of this outstanding area are encouraged to make their feelings known to Teignbridge Council by June 10, quoting planning applications 10/01449/OUT and 10/101451/OUT.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION