IF THE report in the press is correct and accurate it appears the Cllr Elfan Ap Rees would prefer the St Monica Trust development be built on a brown

IF THE report in the press is correct and accurate it appears the Cllr Elfan Ap Rees would prefer the St Monica Trust development be built on a brown field site in Weston as opposed to Sandford. Also that it would 'set an unwanted precedent to allow this development'. What arrogance! Let me make it clear to our Councillor, we do not want it in Weston, the middle or the edge, we want it in Sandford so that it will provide employment in the area that doesn't currently exist. It will provide the possibility for extra business in the villages of Sandford and Winscombe and it will also provide extra facilities for the local residents being able to have a meal in a listed building and more. But of course most important of all it would provide a haven for those requiring care, sheltered and affordable housing for local people with some of their families and familiar environments at hand. All of the surveys of elderly needs carried out by many organisations make it very clear that family and familiar surroundings help to reduce stress and loneliness amongst the elderly and dementia sufferers. So let's keep it local. Let's keep our needy ones close to us in the latter parts of their lives. Reduce travelling time to go and see them and let the villagers enjoy the extra facilities that this development would provide. Not too much to wish for is it?Whilst I understand the need for careful scrutiny and the need for discipline I am not in the least concerned about 22 different planning policies which have reportedly been contravened (conveniently ignored on other occasions when it suits them), when considering the needs of our older people who are continually being ignored and sidelined in today's society. Don't worry about them just put them on the edge of Weston.Cllr Elfan Ap Rees will have the opportunity to defend and explain his urban desires, and 'the unwanted precedent' when he comes to this Forum's next open meeting in Sandford Village Hall on September 21 at 3pm. Unfortunately I will not be there to chair this meeting, which I suppose could be seen as the good news, bad news bit. JOHN ELLIS - Chairman Winscombe-Sandford & District Senior Citizens' Forum