SIR — I would like to comment on Mr Buckingham's letter regarding the proposed alpaca breeding farm at Huish Champflower (Free Press September 17).

There is and has been no animosity towards Mr Drewett and Miss Bowden, nor would (or could) anyone deny them the opportunity to farm the land owned by Miss Bowden and her father.

However, together with many other residents of the parish, I remain opposed to what they want to do.

Alpaca farming has been promoted for the last eight years as a way to get permission to build houses on agricultural land.

Planning consultants claim that alpaca breeding requires the farmer to be on hand 24 hours a day in order to ensure successful births for their "cria".

Government planning guidance states that if such "functional need" can be proven, and if the enterprise has been planned on a sound financial basis, then permission for a temporary dwelling can be granted.

Planning inspectors in other rejected alpaca-breeding appeals have noted that such activity is similar to a pyramid scheme because there is no ultimate economic return from the animal and no profit from small-scale fleece production.

In the case of Huish Champflower, the planning inspector ruled in 2009 that the alpaca venture had not been planned on a sound financial basis and rejected the appeal.

Since then the price of alpacas has fallen, further weakening the financial case.

With alpaca prices falling (unlike lamb, which used to graze on the land in question), the consultants have added egg production to the mix. The scale of production proposed - ultimately 1,500 hens - is not sufficient to pay two people or even one person an agricultural wage.

Planning rules should protect the countryside and encourage people to develop property in a responsible manner that respects rural landscapes.

As with all rules, there will be people who earn a living by finding ways around them. It is now up to West Somerset Council to ensure that this does not result in the council condoning development on the strength of an unprofitable enterprise and creating a precedent that would enable anyone with deep enough pockets to build a house on open pasture.

No-one can blame Miss Bowden and Mr Drewett for wanting to build a house in such a beautiful area with its magnificent views across the valleys down to Taunton Vale and the hills beyond.

Equally, no-one can blame the parish - "newcomers" or not - for not wanting an unsightly caravan at the very head of a valley with special landscape value.

But one thing is sure - if the applicants are allowed to do this on the basis of such an unpromising plan, then consultants will quite literally have a field day.

Peter Wilson,

Chipstable.