Sir,

This morning we have to make a short detour before beginning our journey so that we do not disturb our elderly people in the nursing home down the road - it's the law.

And you discerning reader knew straight off didn't you? that this was not, could not, possibly be Pembrokeshire. You are of course right, it was New Zealand.

But the fact is Pembrokeshire County Council are doing all in their power to ensure that not only will traffic continue to pass a nursing home at all hours, but they will direct much of it to turn in next door where they are working fervently to site the 'dump' when it transfers from The Salterns, Tenby.

Well now, how caring is that? Of course it isn't. It is disrespectful it seems to show a lack of care, of sensitivity toward some of the most vulnerable in our society, almost, if you will, a two-fingered salute to those least able to speak for themselves.

There must be more suitable sites surely? And if the situation was reversed, i.e. if the dump was already in situ, would a nursing home be built next door? Of course not! Medical opinion would be against it - sense and sensibilities would be offended, just as they are now.

I wonder what medical expertise backs the present course of action?

PCC it seems do not like to take part in what the Americans call 'Face Time', that is speaking face to face with the public on matters contentious and on which they feel deeply.

As a result they were viewed with a certain scepticism. 'What's going on here then?' or 'What are they up to now?'

Also rather like a dysfunctional family you have to ask, does anyone on PCC executive ever discuss anything with anyone before taking action?

We, the public at large, are left with a feeling that the dice are loaded against us and that by the time the public hears of something, as one disgruntled said, 'They've made their minds up already'.

Now I don't want to believe that.

However, questions must be asked of those on the executive plotting the course of this Johnny English style embarrassment. Surely they could have done better than to give just two days notice, to the nursing home in question, of a meeting at New Hedges called to discuss the matter.

And further, because of all the investigative preliminaries necessary in contemplating something of this nature, i.e. ideal location, land acquisition possibilities, legalities costs etc, this must have been, I would have thought, 'on the books' for some considerable time, and if that was the case, why was it kept quiet? How was it kept quiet?

As far as can be seen there appears to have been no public discussion before the New Hedges meeting.

The public at large could be forgiven for thinking that there has been a conspiracy of silence here.

Final question. What part does the leader of PCC play in any of this? That same question should be asked of any previous leader? And are PCC completely satisfied that they are conducting themselves in an open, even-handed manner?

Can I say, I have no doubt, no doubt, that all engaged in these matters are fine upstanding members of the community with good intentions, but in this case things seem to have gone sadly awry, and judging by the public disgust and opposition this has generated, has not the time come when maybe, just maybe, they should give pause, think, and start afresh.

Ken Fryer,

Tenby.