ON Saturday (March 13) organisers of the Binhamy Appeal Fighting Fund are holding a final public meeting before the planning appeal to be held from March 16 – 19. The meeting will provide an opportunity for members of the public to hear how the fighting fund money has been spent, and to learn how their concerns will be presented at the appeal.

Bude-Stratton Town Councillor Ian Saltern said: "I am both astounded and heartened to learn that the people of the area have given over £11,000 towards the fighting fund. It sends a clear signal to the developers Catesby, and I hope the planning inspectorate. People here know that this is not the most sensible place to build 400 new houses.

"The town council still has serious concerns about these proposals. Everyone is aware that the priority for this area is affordable housing. Cornwall Council has a target of 50 per cent affordable housing for any new development. However, Catesby are unlikely to offer more than 30 per cent. That means for every house built which locals need, we have to suffer two more that do not. Where is the sense in that?"

Organisers of the Binhamy Appeal Fighting Fund would like to extend their gratitude to all those who have given money towards the cause.

A spokesperson commented: "We truly appreciate the

effort made by local people to help the fund. We cannot guarantee a favourable outcome at the appeal, but we can honestly say that we have done all we can to try to ensure that common sense prevails and this development is not permitted to go ahead.

"We would ask one more thing of people in the area. Please do try to attend the planning appeal at some point between March, 16 ­– 19. People are free to attend at any time for as long or as little as they like. A good local attendance at the appeal will help to send the message that people living here do not want this development."

Fund organisers also requested that anyone who has pledged money but not yet paid, please send cheques, made payable to Binhamy Appeal Fighting Fund, to the following address: 132 Berries Avenue, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8QP.