I attended a village meeting last evening in Stokenham Village Hall to discuss the proposal to build 20 new houses in Stokenham.

Two possible sites were ­discussed, and it soon became clear that, although hardly any resident wants them, the South Hams District Council had managed to direct the villagers’ attention to discussing where, and not if, they should be built.

The A379 coastal road passes through tiny villages, which are hugely popular with tourists, on its way from Kingsbridge to Dartmouth. The road is often only wide enough for one car, so gridlock is not uncommon, especially in the summer. Yet no plan to solve the obvious problems that would be created by even more cars was discussed.

When the fact that the local school is already full was raised, this was dismissed. Children often travel further afield to attend schools out of their area, we were told… more traffic for the A379.

The council representative admitted towards the end of the meeting that the consultation exercise, in which we were involved, would have little or no effect on the final outcome. I am appalled that so little value is placed upon the opinions of locals who live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where tourism is a major source of income. Are we in danger of killing the goose that laid the golden egg?

Sandra Williams

Kiln Lane

Stokenham