I wish to stress that all members of the Planning Committee take the responsibility of decision-making very seriously and we are aware that all the decisions we make have varying effects on members of the public. An often contentious, difficult job is made more onerous by comments such as those that have been levelled at Committee Members.

If children are not considered competent enough to walk to school and cross roads unaccompanied, then a parent should accompany them to school, as parents have done for generations. Ultimately the safety of children en route to and from school rests with the parent.

So far as the felling of trees is concerned, there was a comprehensive tree survey undertaken on behalf of the developer, in consultation with Mansfield District Council's Tree Officer. I consulted this in-depth survey and in conjunction with other factors in the application, I arrived at the decision to vote in favour of what I believe is an aesthetically pleasing development designed to retain as many trees as possible.

The houses are well-planned and have sustainability built in, which is another factor I took into account when making my decision. To assume that the committee was persuaded to give a YES vote by the proposed planting of 75 trees, is naive.

COUN VERONICA GODDARD,
(Leeming Ward),
Leader, Mansfield Liberal Democratic Group.

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