Residing in Dunster, I was aware and took interest in the development of the planned new doctors’ surgery in the village.

I had my concerns, but by monitoring the planning application’s progress and once approved the actual construction phase, I was hoping all would be well.

Now, 18 months after the official opening, what on paper looked like a landscaped building trying to blend into the rural Exmoor landscape has turned out to be a magnolia monstrosity, without any significant landscaping to the most visible south elevation.

It does adhere to all the planning application requirements; all the insignificant planning changes during approval and construction have left us with a big, blank building, with 20-plus tarmacadam-coated parking spaces and associated cars.

The roof garden was cancelled, mature planting was unfeasible, hedging impacted the playing field and disappeared.

Though undoubtably a significant improvement for health treatment needs, it does not enhance the local urban environment.

Lesson learnt - beware! Do not expect the pretty planning picture to be what you end up seeing.

Len Smith, Dunster.