Simon Smith, of Churchfields Drive, Bovey Tracey, writes:

I have always been under the impression that we lived in a democracy. How wrong I am.

The application to develop 185 houses at Bradley Bends, Bovey Tracey, was rejected by Teignbridge Council on January 18, 2013. Among other things there was a significant input to the planning process from residents of Bovey Tracey, who opposed the development, and, to be fair, a certain level of support.

Despite popular feeling and after some inflammatory remarks by the applicant, this decision was appealed and went to a public inquiry.

The appeal was upheld on August 7, 2013, and the development will go ahead.

The point of my letter is that although local support for this development was limited, Bovey Tracey Town Council was against it and it was initially turned down by TDC; this was all overcome by people with the ability to hire a Queen's Counsel.

The developers have no interest in Bovey Tracey as they do not live here and for them it is just another way of feathering their nests.

In other words the will of the majority is irrelevant in the planning process. In my opinion it is money and influence that counts.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION