I read Lib Dem councillor Harry Shearing’s letter in last Friday’s Gazette with great interest, but I find some of his comments slightly difficult to understand.

I attended the meeting at Holland Haven with residents at the request of Mary Bragg, who had quite clearly been talking to her residents and discussed the proposals within the forthcoming new local development framework for her area.

Mr Shearing appeared to be saying, at this late stage, he didn’t know what was proposed.

This document has been in the making now for just under two years.

One of its significant features is the involvement every member of Tendring Council has been offered from training sessions, workshops, talks, presentations and public exhibitions, to name but a few.

This document has not just suddenly been pulled out from a dusty shelf in some council office somewhere.

All the projects listed have gone through a very thorough and careful examination, with members’ involvement all the way, and are all backed up by firm evidence and technical support.

I am sure most other councillors are fully aware of the proposals, given the widespread consultation and publicity that this document has so far enjoyed.

I represent four parish councils, sit on another, and the local development framework has been a constant topic for discussion at many of their regular meetings.

The current and final round of the consultation period began on October 21 and ends on December 6.

Most town and parish councils and residents across the district have already, or are about to, submit their response to the proposals.

I agree Mr Shearing in urging as many people as possible to register their view to the projects proposed in the next few days.

This can be done online on the Tendring Council website (tendringdc.gov.uk /TendringDC), or simply by writing to Gary Guiver at the Weeley Council Office, Thorpe Road, Weeley CO1 9JH.

Giancarlo GUGLIELMI
Tendring Council
Planning Portfolio
Holder