THE decision to go forward with the Binhamy Farm development could result in Bude and Stratton being "wiped out", local lady Marian Wood has warned.

Having lived in Stratton since 1972 — running the Bay Tree?Hotel (now a private house) providing talks (on health and other matters) and teaching yoga — she believes many people are underestimating what the decision will mean for the Bude and its surroundings.

Marian attended all meetings regarding the development in opposition, "with the whole area at heart," but since the Secretary of State Eric Pickles overturned his decision, the level of anger, gloom and despondency has become an "overwhelming" source of frustration to residents of Bude and Stratton, "disgraced" at the recent turn of events.

"What has happened to democracy? Where is the evidence to support the so called power the government trumpet that they are returning to the people?

"This is not a rhetorical question — it is one requiring a considered answer, considering the anger, disgust and strength of feeling against this decision, and the congestion, overloading of infrastructure and loss of what vastly diminished quality of life we have had inflicted on us these past few years due to what? Greed, inadequate planning awareness and co-ordination."

The nature in which Catesby have not only been able to re-apply despite having lost numerous appeals prior was also something she thought wrong, despite the people of the area being in opposition, and Bude and Stratton not having the infrastructure to support a development.

"Why, in a supposed democracy, are the Catesby group given leave for yet another appeal — against the overwhelming wishes of a large majority of the population, on the basis of facts that are indisputable, i.e. the area has no rail access, except by infrequent bus service providers; these services in part dependent on the season of the year and/or are there enough summer visitors to warrant provision of extra and larger transport?

"Often passengers must change from one bus to another, depending on the service each service takes — and this often results in long waits, in all weather, and extends a journey frequently by hours.

"I, for instance, am one of many countless numbers of people in the area requiring regular health checks to monitor my cancer status. For this, I must attend Truro hospital —­ a day's journey by existing transport and Barnstaple, several hours' journey. I am just one of many, as things stand.

"Do the legal profession not have maps, or do they not do joined up thinking? Worse still, do they not deem it necessary to investigate this and many other aspects of such a massive development as the High Court has carelessly, apparently, felt itself not able, but justified, in choosing to inflict on this area of Cornwall?"