THE MEANING OF DEMOCRACY

Sir, Clr Stoddart makes some rather obvious points about planning law in his letter in last week's issue, but I would point out to him that planning law is not carved in stone and can be successfully challenged by groups of determined people, for example the Roundhouse in Pembrokeshire and the Yurt in Devon. Does Clr. Stoddart think that public opinion and protest does not help to formulate and change laws? Or does he just wish that it didn't? I am saddened by the fact that some councillors, elected to represent the people, seem to have difficulty grasping the concept of a 'representative democracy'. Let me try to explain. Democracy - from the two Greek words 'demos'- the people and 'kratia' - to rule. So - 'rule by the people'. Representative democracy - rule by the people through elected representatives. When Clr. Stoddart asks where the benefits lie, he has perhaps forgotten that one of the ways the people make their wishes known to their representatives between elections is by vocal protest. He accuses us of being 'grandstanding politicians' and of 'electioneering on the rates'. Although I serve on Manorbier council, I strongly object to being called a politician as I think there is no place for politics at community level.

Brian Coleman, Vice Chairman, Manorbier Community Council.

NOISE POLLUTION

Sir, Would you please permit me to comment on the letter from Clr. Mike Stoddart in last week's Observer 'Public opinion alone not enough'. Clr. Stoddart is well known for his views in extolling the virtues of local democracy. Surely then he would not want to stifle the views of our local residents who feel that they have a perfect right to air their views through their local newspaper's letters page concerning the proposed planning application for night firing at the MOD Manorbier range. I know these residents feel they most definitely have soundly-based planning grounds for a refusal - the effects on their children and their local amenity, in short, noise pollution.

Tony Wales, Manorbier.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Sir, Does Clr. Mike Stoddart really think that the community of Manorbier do not have the intelligence to make their own judgements about the problem of noise emanating from ADR Manorbier, which is, after all, on their own doorstep and does not affect the community of Milford Haven, which Clr. Stoddart represents. Do people not have the right to complain publicly about the noise nuisance and how it affects them, whether it is a valid planning reason or not! It's called freedom of speech and our right to express that freedom through any media we wish. The residents in Manorbier are very aware that complaints to the planning authority have to be made on planning grounds and in the many objections that have been sent to the National Park Authority, most are indeed questioning the application on planning grounds, but that does not deny the right of the individual to publicly state their own feelings towards this excessive nuisance.

C. Cochrane, Manorbier.

NO OBJECTIONS

Sir, I would like to comment on letters written in a recent issue, if that is possible. I have lived in Pembrokeshire for nearly 60 years, nearly 30 years of that in Manorbier. In the letter written by the two community councillors, 'Residents concerns should be addressed', it should have read, 'Some residents concerns should be addressed'. For myself and many of my local friends have no objections to day or night firings at Manorbier Range; they should not assume we all think the same. And the remark, 'If it were for our own troops only, but this facility may also be open to the Dutch, Belgians and other European nations' is ridiculous. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't we all members of NATO. British troops train in other European countries. Not one letter has mentioned what good the Army has done for the community since being here in 1937. Everyone has a right to have an opinion I appreciate that, but tell it as it is. Lastly, I must congratulate Malcolm Calver for his letter in the January 20 issue. It was fair, unbiased and to the point.

Mrs. Gill Rees, Manorbier (ex Army wife)