I think the plan to build houses on Beacon Road in place of the trees in the lovely setting forming the backdrop behind St Michael’s Church is a very bad idea.

The Woodland Trust has a major plan to plant new trees up and down the country, while in West Somerset we are being asked to chop down beautiful historic trees to build a few large houses.

There are many prestigious properties on North Hill already and the expensive houses on the proposed new development will be out of reach for most local people.

Many people are working to make Minehead more attractive to visitors. Yet the first thing visitors see on their approach to the town is the unique view of North Hill.

To start to destroy this would be a great mistake and very short sighted.

Julie Taylor, Warden Road, Minehead.