SIR — Rather than wasting valuable time wrangling over just where and how any planning gain money is to be spent, surely in the first instance West Somerset Council should be negotiating with nuclear new-build developer EdF in order to actually secure such monies for sorely-needed community benefits.
In the meantime it is evident that Sedgemoor has indeed been pro-active and focussed in their negotiations with EdF, as indeed have smaller, less prestigious groups including Bridgwater College and even some individual Sedgemoor Parish Councils.
As a direct result of this, it would appear that these negotiations are well advanced before West Somerset Council has even approached the starting line.
Furthermore, the council should need no reminder that the proposed Hinkley C is located in Stogursey parish, not Minehead or Williton, and that it is the residents of Stogursey parish, particularly those residing in Shurton and Burton, who will live with the consequences of the new-build construction on a daily basis.
There will inevitably be massive disruption to these people in the form of noise and air pollution, general loss of amenity, plus traffic problems, not to mention the proposal to house 700 migrant workers within metres of Shurton.
We live in hope that the new planning guidelines being formulated by the council will lead to a fairer allocation of planning gain money.
This should result in Stogursey parish having its applications for funding being met before any others, in recognition of the extreme disruption that it is facing.
The council has stated that planning gain money is paid to minimise the impact of a development, so it is generally spent close to the area of development.
Well, Shurton, Burton and Stogursey could not be any closer to the nuclear new build and residents expect fair play in regard to this.
Sue Goss,
Burton.