Sir,

Mr. Conrad Bryant's comments (Observer, November 7) on the Bluestone ballot conducted by the Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park are misleading. He implies that rejection of the proposal by our members was due to the opposition of members outside Wales. That is not so. The ballot showed a clear majority against the Bluestone proposal from members who live in Pembrokeshire , those who live elsewhere in Wales, and those who live outside Wales.

Furthermore, the response rate was higher for members living in Pembrokeshire than elsewhere. The message from our members is therefore the same irrespective of place of residence.

I am not aware of any sound survey information on the specific questions he raises, and he offers none. Therefore, his claim that he received a 'clear answer' to these questions from our ballot and our newsletter is clearly wrong.

The Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park supports major developments which respect planning and environmental policies relevant to National Park purposes, most recently the redevelopment of the former refinery site at Milford Haven by Qattar Petroleum and Exxonmobil for Liquefied Natural Gas storage. In the north of the county and adjacent to the National Park, the development of a marina at Fishguard Harbour is welcomed. Both will bring good quality jobs to the county.

John Ratcliffe,

Chairman,

Friends of Pembrokeshire National Park.