I HAVE direct experience of dealing with Herefordshire Council over the proposed Southern Link Road. It is planned to go through my garden, destroying three significant veteran trees.

As a Clehonger parish councillor, I have to excuse myself from discussions about this road because of my material interest.

When the route was proposed with the Clehonger link, I had to argue with the council to establish my land ownership. This was very distressing and avoidable, had the council’s agents looked at the relevant Land Registry documents.

I do not understand why the council has to include this ‘Clehonger link’ when it does not form part of the national government’s funding offer. Has the council declared its interest in this proposed road which will go across their farm holdings?

Will councillors excuse themselves from discussing it, as I have had to do? This planning application is too big, and too controversial, for the planning committee to determine. There needs to be an independent judgement.

No doubt developers and estate agents are rubbing their hands at the prospect of housing along the route, but the council should not be joining them without being called to account.

JEAN HARRIS Pykeways, Allensmore