I FIND Councillor Mark Hubbard’s reported expression of sorrow regarding the development of 10 affordable dwellings for Hereford Housing off Holywell Gutter Lane as offensive and somewhat condescending towards those families who are affected by poor planning decisions such as this (Homes given green light, Hereford Times, March 12).

To say “I do feel sorry for people who buy houses on the edge of developments” demonstrates just how out of touch he and the other committee members are with the needs and views of local residents.

There were, in fact, 67 objections to this planning proposal if one were to take account of a petition that was submitted with 50 signatures from local residents living in Gurney Avenue, which were all clearly disregarded as being irrelevant to the apparent overriding need for affordable housing in the area.

Councillor Kenyon had reservations from the outset. He said “To put all affordable housing in one area with no integration has proven not to work and we should be moving away from this.

“Holywell Gutter Lane is an edge-of-city green bridle path. To have that design of building ie flats there would be totally out of place. There are access issues off Gurney Avenue with a narrow gap and a play area close by ” – but subsequently changed his view.

Herefordshire Council’s policy documents stipulate that good design is a key consideration, not only for the building in question, but for the development and amenity value of the area as a whole.

Perhaps Cllr Hubbard and his colleagues should read their policy documents before they make their next decision as it is clear that they and their current ward councillors, given Cllr Kenyon’s recent example, are not in sync with each other or with the needs of local communities.

As a resident directly affected by this development, it would be interesting to know why Cllr Hubbard feels sorry.

Perhaps it’s due to the inevitable devaluation of private property? Perhaps it’s due to the total loss of privacy, or perhaps it’s because the planning committee has made a poor decision regarding this development?

Perhaps I should consider myself lucky that the planned build is 12 metres from my boundary as it could have been less. Isn’t that right, councillors?

FRANK BOWEN Thistledown Grove, Hereford