Sir, - On August 28 a most irregular meeting took place of Hambleton District Council's development control committee, to consider the Lower Ure Conservation Trust's proposal to re-grade the landscaping of the existing nature reserve at Nosterfield and agricultural land.

This proposal was opposed by our parish council on several points. They included concern over lack of access to a promised footpath on the site, and that the plans shown on the application were inadequate, with no clear details of the proposals for the filling of the drainage areas.

The Environment Agency's advice to the committee was that there was no record of flooding in the area. This advice was described as ludicrous by one committee member who had photographic evidence of flooding in this area. I have copies of correspondence to prove that Hambleton planning officers and the Environment Agency were fully aware of the problem.

The majority of the committee chose to ignore further Environment Agency advice that any proposals should not be allowed to exacerbate local flooding issues.

The decision reached by the committee was based on its belief that as material was only being moved around the site, rather than being removed or added to, there would be no detrimental effect on the drainage. This clearly demonstrates that most of the members have failed to grasp one of the most basic principles of physics.

Any farmer could have told them that if sand was put into the drainage point of his yard, the resulting blockage would cause flooding.

They could not grasp the significance of a drain which was installed, to the satisfaction of North Yorkshire County Council, as part of their planning condition to return this quarried land to agricultural use, and which remains blocked for the benefit of the nature reserve.

They broke their own rules by asking the applicant to produce further information and by allowing him to negotiate with them; they favoured a deferral until the applicant said that this would result in an increase in the cost of the proposed work.

Despite repeated requests for further information I was not given it. This proves that the LUCT does not work with local people as they so frequently claim.

R J LONSDALE

Kiln Farm,

Nosterfield.

Soldiers' thanks

Sir, - I read your report (D&S, Aug 29)about the Gurkha soldiers from Catterick who gave demonstrations at the Wensleydale agricultural show on August 23 with much pleasure.

The response from the many onlookers was most warmly appreciated by the Gurkhas themselves and by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which supports ex-Gurkha soldiers and their dependants who have fallen on hard times in Nepal.

The many well wishers at the show made generous contributions to the Gurkha Welfare Trust and I would like to express the thanks of the trust and of those gallant old soldiers in Nepal for their kindness and gratuity.

D O'LEARY

Hon Secretary, The Gurkha Welfare Trust, North-East branch

Moor Road,

Bellerby.

A place for us

Sir, - I would like to congratulate the Sanderson family for providing a much needed facility for the pet owners of Hambleton district (D&S, Aug 29). I wish them every success with their Ashes pet crematorium.

What a pity the district council or county council or some entrepreneur cannot provide the public with their own crematorium in Hambleton to save people having to travel miles to other districts to say their last farewells to their loved ones at what is a very traumatic time.

Surely a suitable site could be found somewhere in our district for this very important facility which would benefit the community greatly.

Coun ANDREW ROBINSON

West View,

Borrowby.

A great team

Sir, - My wife was found to have cancer when examined at the Friarage hospital at Northallerton. As it was a blood cancer she came under the care of the haematology team. Her treatment commenced at the beginning of 2001 and continued up until her death at the end of August 2003.

The service and loving care she received by all the team was excellent and I know that my beloved wife would want me to acknowledge this fact publicly. She often said to me how lucky she was to have care and attention. With people like these the health service will never founder.

My wife would also want me to thank the wonderful staff at St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington, where she visited each Friday and was treated with such kindness and love. These are people whose dedication deserves recognition and our heartfelt thanks.

C W O'LOUGHLIN

Oak Tree Avenue,

Scotton.