SIR — We would like to respond to your report about the support we have received from Mayor Nick Messarra regarding the erection of our marquee (Free Press July 29). Cllr Messarra has the vision and enthusiasm for a new venture for Minehead as we do, which unfortunately the West Somerset District Council planning department does not seem to share. Pottery painting is a new concept not only for Minehead but the UK too. We have had such a positive response from a large number of people, both local residents and tourists, and would like to continue to provide our exciting activity for people of all ages. It has always been our intention that the marquee would not be a permanent structure and was to be used only to see how well our idea was received. If successful we intended to then build a permanent structure for which the necessary planning permission would be sought. As the marquee is not a permanent structure, why should we seek planning permission? In correspondence with district council planning officers, they stated that "they were reluctant to request a retrospective planning application being submitted having regard to the likely outcome of such a procedure". The letter informing us of the inclusion of a report on our marquee to the council's planning committee meeting at 9am on July 21 was posted to us on July 19, arriving on July 20. How does the planning department expect a busy small business to collate documents supporting their cause in less than a day? With such little notice we were unable to attend the meeting and put our case before the committee. We intend to appeal to the secretary of state and will continue to fight against the decision made by the district council and would request that our customers and supporters come into our café and make their views known in our comments book. It is both naive and narrow-minded to look upon us as simply a marquee. We have evidence to show that many people have come to Minehead from neighbouring towns to paint pottery as well as eat, shop and enjoy our town. Will these people continue to return if Minehead is just full of charity shops? Wouldn't it be refreshing for West Somerset District Council to be on the side of a small business for a change. Chris and Julia Green, Clay Time Cafe, The Avenue, Minehead.
