Cllr GORDON HOOK, of Forde Park, Newton Abbot, writes:

I think I am fortunate to live in a most beautiful part of the planet, here in glorious Devon. I imagine most if not all agree with me. The sheer glory that is Devon – the moorland, the coast, the estuaries, heathland and open field – is also our biggest asset in terms of tourism and, therefore, our local economy.

All this is under imminent threat from two directions right now, and we all need to act to defend it.

The government is proposing to relax planning law. The National Planning Policy Framework is open for consultation until mid-October. If adopted it will replace 1,000 pages plus of planning guidance with a 58-page developer-friendly toothless notelet.

The government should hang their heads in shame at this feeble cosying up to developers, which will destroy our priceless countryside. Teignbridge Council will have to accept planning applications that they would not previously have done, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so (as it states in the NPPF, 'except when the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits').

Currently it is expected that brownfield sites would be used in preference to greenfield sites – no longer, they will be of equal merit. Another specific example would be that an application could not be refused on traffic grounds unless it was considered that the impact would be 'severe'. It also seems that a developer will be able to gain planning consent without being responsible (as is the case now) for providing any of the essential infrastructure.

All this and more is wrong, wrong, wrong – not surprisingly many are up in arms about the potential impact, the RSPB, CPRE, National Trust, WI and so on. It is suggested that the document was written for the government by developers.

Devon needs to rise up and oppose these proposals. I would urge all residents who are concerned to contact our MP, a government supporter, and tell her what you think about this iniquitous document.

The second immediate threat to our countryside is posed by the South Devon Link Road, where plans are already well advanced for massive (many thousands) house building and factory development between Kingskerswell and Ogwell Cross. While I totally accept the need for jobs and affordable, low cost housing locally, does anyone really want to see that plonked on the greenfield sites adjacent to the proposed route of the SDLR?

If you are concerned by this proposal, and make no mistake if the SDLR is built there should be no doubt in anyone's mind that massive in fill will take place in the near future, write to Norman Baker MP, c/o The House of Commons, Westminster. and let him know your views.

THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION