IT IS now more than three weeks since two letters were published in your paper that were critical of the attitude of the NCDC Planning Committee towards the general public attending committee meeting. In particular, a letter from a Widemouth Bay resident was a well written and well argued diatribe against the whole process.

Now surely, three weeks is enough time for even the busiest of our councillors who sit on the Planning Committee to respond to such direct and serious complaint? Or does the silence reflect the arrogance of these councillors and the disdain in which they hold the views of the local electorate?

Or is it that our elected representatives are now so constrained by the regulations imposed by the various behavior and standards watchdogs that a public response to public criticism is no longer allowed?