Sir, - Your article relating to planning applications (July 2nd) caught my attention and the words "against the wishes of the locals" were the specific focus of my interest. Perhaps there may be some hope after all that local authorities will have to respect the wishes of locals where those wishes are a reasonable and sincere effort to protect the environment and preserve what is natural, ancient and in keeping with the distinctive character and ambience of our towns and villages.
Accountability by local authorities in the matter of planning permission is long and dangerously overdue.
A visitor to our village of Rosses Point could be forgiven for thinking that we, the locals, were intent on destroying precisely the features that are natural, irreplaceable and reflective of a style and simplicity appropriate to a seaside village. - Yours, etc.,
Patricia McElhone,
Snr.,
Rosses Point,
Co Sligo.