Bill Thorne, of Eagle Close, Kingsteignton, writes:

Christmas has already brought with it support and opportunity for the Kingsteignton community this year.

Only last week the Devon County Council Management Development Committee recognised the amenity reduction likely to be caused by hundreds of extra HGV lorries passing through northern Kingsteignton and the Bellamarsh areas during future Sundays and bank holidays. The committee decided to stop these future HGV movements carrying the extra 90,000 tonnes to and from the extended Viridor plant unless Viridor's extreme need was recognised and duly authorised by DCC on an individual event basis.

Well done to those who have shown diligence and skill working towards this, hopefully, enduring result for the benefit of so many Kingsteignton residents.

The Viridor composting plant comes up for its permanency planning decision in the next few weeks.

Unfortunately very few residents seem to take the two minutes necessary to report directly to the Environment Agency the obnoxious and lingering smells produced by the Heathfield plant. It is not because they do not smell them but because sadly they have given up trying to fight these odours typically described as 'putrescent meat with a hint of silage'.

Of course, this might now be interpreted by the DCC decision-makers that we are all happy for the plant to stink out our homes perhaps for evermore.

Please report the obnoxious smells accurately on the strength scale from 'slight' at level 1 to 'penetrating inside your home' at level 6 to the Environment Agency directly on 0800 807060 as they occur.

This can be the only responsible way for residents to help accurately monitor the plant and to encourage even greater investment into immediate odour reducing upgrades.

Permanency, I don't think so. A further trial period, maybe?MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION