DEAR EDITOR, - I read with interest James Campbell's letter in your issue of October 6th regarding my letter that became an article about the Manorbier Conservation Area draft document and the open meeting to be held in the village hall to view the proposals.

The reason for my letter was to ensure that local residents were aware of the possibility of attending the presentation to express their views on the draft proposals - something that I felt I needed to highlight as the only elected person on the working group.

I have always felt that officials seem to get away with anything when apathy prevails.

Fifty years ago we were all controlled by the local squire, a system that has been cast off, and it seems now that unelected bureaucrats want to control our lives.

The use of inappropriate materials as Mr Campbell calls them are what the majority of local residents prefer to use in their houses. I have always resisted the need for footpaths and brighter lights in the village, which in my mind would spoil its character.

If Mr Campbell wishes to use timber products, such as wooden fascias, windows and doors in his house that is fine by me, but please do not force others to do so against their wishes.

On a final note, we have a vacancy on Manorbier Community Council and may I suggest that he puts his name forward to test, among other things, the wish of the residents of the village to support his views on appropriate materials.

MALCOLM CALVER Gleann-na-Coille, Pembroke Road, Manorbier.