SIR — We are writing on behalf of Ellicombe Meadow residents who attended West Somerset Council's planning committee meeting on October 31 when the building of 37 properties at Ellicombe was approved.

As a result of the decision, the mood of residents is one of total disbelief that councillors voted to allow all construction traffic, including heavy plant and machinery, to access the development site on land owned by the Maples.

The decision means the construction traffic will use the entire quarter of a mile length of Ellicombe Meadow estate to gain entry to the development, passing close to existing properties, and will also having to negotiate a tight blind bend at the top of the estate.

It will also subject residents to a three-year period of disruption danger and distress.

We would like to thank the six councillors who recognised the issue of access to the development and so voted against allowing construction traffic to use Ellicombe Meadow.

However, we are devastated and feel extremely badly let down by the councillors who voted in favour and felt it was acceptable to authorise developers Strongvox to inflict three years of disruption and distress on residents.

Residents at the meeting felt that some councillors showed them contempt by inferring the development was no big deal and referring to the 37 property development as "only the size of a paddock".

It is unbelievable that despite the views and protests against the development which were expressed in over 50 residents' letters posted on the council web-site, councillors still voted to allow construction access through Ellicombe Meadow.

Strongvox have estimated that the build is a three-year project.

If it will take three years to sell 30 houses, how is there a need for this development when there is so much similar property available on the open market in and around West Somerset?

Siobhan Hutchings, Malcolm Bruce, Colin Russell,

Ellicombe Meadow,

Alcombe.