SIR; I write to express my thanks for all the hard work and effort that the Littleton and Harestock Parish Council must have expended in helping to prevent the building of an inert materials recycling plant at Three Maids Hill. The verdict is a great relief to me and very much appreciated (Chronicle, January 28).

What has surprised me, though, is the narrow margin of the rejection of the proposal: six for it and eight against with two abstentions - a narrow victory. I’m also surprised that the planning officers supported the enterprise. I thought, quite simply and naively that this proposal would be rejected more or less unanimously.

I’m not an expert on the workings of local government where planning is concerned especially at county level but I think it very unsettling that none of the county councillors who voted for the plant live in Winchester or represent any of its residents, let alone those of Littleton, Harestock or the contiguous parishes and wards.

That is why I am writing this letter: not just to say thank you but to also express gratitude to the parish council and to everyone who objected to the scheme. Hopefully the land at Three Maids Hill will remain free of toxic, environmentally dubious activity in perpetuity.

Heather Bradford,

Harestock Road,

Harestock