A RECENT article purporting to correct information I had provided in respect of the Manor House Farm development and councillor Alcock has just been brought to my attention.

The Planning Committee, not just councillor Alcock, voted to accept the April 1999 amendement to the draft Local Plan which changed the Manor House Farm allocation from housing to 'Existing Built-up Area.'

This was done to reflect the Inspector's view that the site could not become available in the short term due to Health and Safety constraints caused by the size of the adjacent Shellgas installation.

Subsequently, this constraint was removed and outline permission was granted entirely in accordance with the amended draft Local Plan and planning guidance requirements.

Perhaps counc Alcock did not fully understand what he had voted for, but he certainly voted again in Feb 2000 to adopt the Local Plan.

The planning process is highly prescriptive and often complex, and places a great onus on members of the planning committee to make, at times, unpalatable decisions either to meet statutory obligations imposed upon the council or in the wider interests of the borough as a whole.

The issue I raised was not whether coun Allcock should articulate the views of his constituents but that he should accept the responsibilities that come with being a member of the planning committee.

Councillor Cliff Hughes, South Ribble Borough Council