SIR — I see from last week's Free Press (March 25) there seems to be some confusion in regard to the 'Williton Masterplan'. I guess this has been brought to light by the publication of the 'Supplementary Planning Document' (draft form) all of 88 pages as released March 1, otherwise referred to as the SPD. This is a joint effort conceived by West Somerset and Sedgemoor District Councils.

As you already know, it was made transparent by EdF at their rounds of meetings, (commencing with the session on February 16 at Danesfield) that among other things the idea of accommodation in Williton, coupled with the Mamsey area park and ride had been scrapped in favour of utilising the old Smithyard terminal, and a new roundabout at Washford Cross. Personally I think it is not a bad Idea.

I do understand the bewilderment, however, as there are several anomalies between the above publication and green and orange EdF literature pertaining to their 'Stage 2 Update'.

I had misgivings that the EdF presentation did not relate to the content of the supposedly subsequent SPD document. In fact, as the SPD came to light after the EdF series of presentations, I thought perhaps EdF had reneged on the deal, and I vociferously accused them of such at a public meeting. Pains me to say this, I owe them a bit of an apology.

Both are dated February 2011 yet give differing viewpoints on various associated developments as well as mitigation offerings. Transpired the SPD precedes the EdF stage 2 update, but was rolled out afterwards, and nobody took the initiative to delete or revise the no longer appropriate sectors. Williton, Cannington, Site Accommodation and various projects in Bridgwater are cases in point.

The SPD was signed off on February 7 by planning executives of both West Somerset and Sedgemoor District Councils, yet the EdF Pre-Application CD was created on February 18. As the SPD pre-dates the EdF documentation then the SPD is consequently irrelevant and should have been re-drafted before many further considerations take place.

My initial reaction was that the SPD was council driven, and were perhaps suggestions or pointers toward the best approach to any solution or offerings by EdF. However it is clearly stated in the foreword of the SPD page 2; paragraph 1.8 "Part of a Planning Performance Agreement, in collaboration with EDF".

So if this is a joint effort then concerns may well be justified. It would be nice to be reassured which the correct situation is and which publication is actually appropriate and possibly be used as a template.

Once again I am at pains to say this, but some of the latest EdF proposals look more palatable than some of the content of the SPD. Whilst I'm trying not to criticise the councils for trying to mitigate what must be an horrendous task, it may have been better if they got the timing right.

As the SPD was drafted in advance of the EdF update to changes of preferred proposals, then surely the SPD has been out-dated by the EdF stage 2 update and is thus inapplicable and needs to be redressed.

Alex Reed

Cannington