I WISH to support what was said by Daphne Pearson in your edition of March 25, 2011, entitled 'Time for change?'

It was the first time I had attended a Development Control Committee meeting only to be dismayed at the shambles that took place. In my opinion, what Dr Pearson accurately described was chaos and incompetence.

I witnessed with horror as the committee agreed to the planning application for Rose Cottage, Holly Lane, Ellwood even though numerous objections were sent in and then ignored. The Local Historical Society also objected to this planning application and it was ignored.

What is even worse is that the Development Control Committee ignored the objection of the West Dean Parish Council.

What is the point of the parish council planning committee saying in its newsletter that it wants: "To preserve what is left of the scattered nature of village dwellings and green open spaces within the parish which is unique to the Forest," when it gets ignored by the district councillors?

Furthermore, it appeared to me that the officers were more in charge of the situation than the councillors. 

Personally, I object to being told that I am speaking to a customer service advisor when I call the district council offices.

I was also very displeased to find that they seek 'customer' feedback.  Surely, they work for us?  That means that we are not the staff's 'customers', but their bosses does it not?  Does anyone else think this is the tail wagging the dog?

– Susan Jane Smith, B.Sc., Ellwood.