I am writing to express my serious concerns about the ongoing problems of sewage disposal in the Tintagel, Bossinney and Boscastle area.

Some of the complaints from the protestors to the current application by South West Water are that tourism will be adversely affected by the installation of a sewage treatment works; I feel the exact opposite is the reality.

If visitors to the area were told that at present all the sewage from these villages goes unscreened and completely untreated into the sea off this wonderful coast, I am quite sure they would be utterly horrified. In this day and age behaviour of this sort is, quite frankly, unacceptable and illegal.

I understand that the Trevalga and Trethevy residents don't want the proposed works "in their back yard," but I feel that one site for the whole area is much more acceptable in environmental terms, both of sustainability and impact on the Area of Outstanding Beauty, than separate sites. As most of the residents of Boscastle live at the top of the village the sewage can be picked up at the higher end of the village, thus reducing the need for pumping, and decreasing energy use.

The previous applications for treatment works in Boscastle were both opposed by the parish council on the grounds that they supported a single site for the whole area as now proposed. Where is their support now?

Furthermore, as a relatively new incomer to Boscastle, I am really shocked that this issue — a matter of implementing a very reasonable EU law — has led to appalling vilification meted out to some local councillors, (who have invested huge numbers of hours struggling to please everybody), leading to resignations and widespread ill feeling between individuals and communities.

These NIMBY attitudes, which represent selfishness and unwillingness to cooperate for the general good — seen also in many wind farm applications — really make me wonder whether I have chosen the right part of the country to settle and spend my retirement funds.

Boscastle.