I READ with interest the letters in last week’s Times written by Fenella Hardie and Dudley Chignall.

The proposed River Walk/Gimsons development is possibly the most disliked layout in the town since 1960.

The scheme is approximately double the size it should and provides an unwanted number of three, four and five-bedroom houses of limited architectural input and in the wrong place.

They will do nothing to help the younger generation to get on the housing ladder. I write to ask the Conservative leader of Braintree Council to tell us publicly:

A] Why was the unanimous decision of Witham Town Council to refuse the application totally ignored and not even commented on?

B] Why were the approximately 750 objections from members of the public, who all pay their taxes, simply cast aside and not even mentioned when the application was discussed at your council’s planning committee?

If Braintree Council is under pressure to build an additional 100 housing units there is adequate brownfield land to build 100 apartments which are needed.

It appears the deal with Bellway is more about profits than the welfare of the people of Witham.

Paul M Ryland

Director, WitLet Ltd

Editor’s Note - Paul Ryland is standing for the Witham West ward on Witham Town Council in the elections on May 5.

Click here for a full list of candidates.