WITH reference to the letter from Dr David Garnett, Two Rivers Housing chairman.

Dr Chairman, please never assume that I am either ignorant or ill-informed in the task of trying to support people, you don't need a PhD or academic background to do that. Indeed I would suggest my personal knowledge and experience of the issues facing residents in Orchard Road Lydney places me in a better position than you.

A meeting may well be beneficial, and hopefully you will come to appreciate that my views are well formed and relevant, although not taught in a classroom. Suffice to say, after 12 odd years of public representation, I tend to see the world through everyday ordinary un-blinkered spectacles rather than those of a rose-tinted variety.

Take the Orchard Road situation, on Monday 20 May, at the invite of the family, Cllr Bill Osbourne (Forest of Dean Council) , Cllr Sue Osbourne (Lydney Town Council) and myself, were asked to attend the handing over of a petition signed by over 1,000 people - please do not assume that all those are ignorant or ill-informed either. It was quite obvious from the body language and attitude of the Two Rivers representatives present that we, as democratically elected councillors were not welcome, confirmed by their lack of straight answers to some fairly straight to the point questions - it made me wonder who the politicians were! Would you give me straight answers Dr Chairman?

My job as a councillor is to advocate for the electorate and not make assumptions. But from a lack of transparency on your part I have to assume that if the houses on Orchard Road are demolished due to structural uncertainty then no new dwellings will be constructed for the very same reason if doubts over structural ground stability prevail. Perhaps a communal grassed play area will be provided ?

If we do meet maybe we can discuss your organisation's record of public engagement, openness and transparency and approval as well as my credentials.

– Cllr Alan Preest, Lydney.