The article states that this is something we are "going to have to put up with."

Inappropriate housing and developments such as flats and rabbit warrens can be built where, when and how they like - and there is nothing any of us can do to stop it.

As you know we have one overstretched health centre where the staff do a sterling job under great pressure.

But with more and more flats being erected it all adds further burdens which just don't seem to be addressed - or indeed cared about.

Our young people are forgotten in a maze of greed and red tape as land which could be used for them is taken over for yet more dense housing.

Mrs Pearce also implied that the council always loses the appeals and the taxpayer picks up the bill - well let's trying winning for a change and refusing to pay.

I believed, stupidly, that this country of ours was a democratic one.

However it seems we are no better off if our way of life and environment is constantly being eroded by inappropriate planning.

If she is worried about wasting taxpayer's money then think of the disgusting waste we have seen while they are supposed to be painting the bridge.

It took them two weeks to put up the scaffold and a blue covering and all I see in the morning when I go off the Island to work are six men with hard hats having a chat and on my return it doesn't look any different.

We are now in the fourth week and I can't see a lick of new paint. How much is that costing us?

It is a travesty of council tax to see this type of waste with the overriding feeling that our elected councillors do not care about our environment, our Island and our way of life which should be worth fighting for.

Mrs Sue Moss
Selsmore Avenue
Hayling

Editor's note: In April we reported that Langstone Bridge was being repainted at the expense of the county council's contractors after they admitted that the paint used when it was last done was not up to scratch to withstand the elements. Councils that lose planning appeals can be ordered to pay costs, as in any legal hearing.