YOUR report regarding the Allaston development quoted myself as saying that the council acted outside the law making their decision.

Unfortunately Mr. Hillier's response which you also  quoted would lead people to misconstrue what I actually said.

The illegal act I complained  of was that a  group of people within the council made the original decision to oppose the original planning application.

This  is  against the law because an executive on a council, ie any group not the full council, is barred from determining planning applications.

This is to avoid a small group being approached to persuade them by blackmail or bribery and  just  as important to show that a matter has gone before the full council so that the public cannot accuse a small group of being biased.

This goes to the root of democracy at the Forest of Dean District Council. Effectively the council has not legally made a decision to oppose the application.

You should also know that the appeal hearing is to continue in February as the Inspector has adjourned it until then.

– John Timbrell, Drybrook.