SIR — As an ordinary, reasonably intelligent, member of the public I am appalled at the prospect of the huge development proposed for the land behind Gliddons on the south west side of Williton High Street.

Surely an overriding reason for such a development being allowed would be need, and an urgent one at that.

There is no need that I can see in this case. We are very well served by the Co-op, Somerset Farmhouse, Jones' greengrocers, Spar, the garage and other retailers.

All of these businesses which constitute the core and character of Williton village would be drastically damaged, if not forced to close.

Their proprietors would be subjected to constant worry in an unequal struggle to survive, and their customers, who are often friends of long-standing, would share their concern.

Apart from traffic congestion and dislocation caused during the construction work, we would be left with the extra traffic that such a development would attract.

I understand that Lloyds Bank might close and the building substantially altered if not demolished. All the account holders could be forced to go to Minehead or Watchet or move their deposits to the Nat West.

Either of these moves would be very difficult for the many old people who bank at Lloyds.

If allowed, such a project would urbanise what is now a village set in some of the finest scenery in rural England. Visitors come to walk and cycle the surrounding lanes which would have to bear the burden of any general increase in car traffic, for people who come to shop in a supermarket do not always go straight home.

There is an almost universal cry for fairness just now, and such a development would not be fair from any point of view that I can see.

One only has to look at Minehead to see the damage done to local shops by the three supermarkets which now operate there. The latest to go has been the excellent fish shop "Out of the Blue".

According to a recent radio item, country towns of Britain are being stripped of local shops which stand empty through the unfair competition from supermarkets.

Finally, I would like to thank the council which, in conjunction with EDF, is taking great pains to lessen the impact on the environment consequent upon the construction of Hinkley Point C power station.

This is a development for which there is need, and an urgent one.

R H Beale,

Vellow.