AS Clerk to Ocle Pychard Group Parish Council, which includes Ullingswick, I must comment on the article "Hate campaign targets village horsewoman" (Hereford Times, March 4).

The issue of the Tack Farm planning application is contentious as it involves putting a stone surface on part of the local bridle path rather than on simply a 'dirt track'.

All right-thinking people, including the overwhelming majority of Ullingswick residents, quite rightly condemn the use of threats, vandalism and e-mails with viruses.

The concern of residents, and of the two local parish councils, is that Ullingswick is a small village with a single narrow-gauge road running through it. While they do not object to anyone running a successful local business, they do not feel Tack Farm is a suitable venue for large equestrian events.

The one event held led to the village being gridlocked, disrupting the lives of everyone living nearby, and involved the use of intrusive loudspeaker equipment over much of a bank holiday weekend.

The Parish Councils of Ocle Pychard and Much Cowarne have given their opinions on the planning application, and have expressed their concerns following a well-attended joint council meeting. Several dozen letters have been sent to the planning office by residents expressing concerns. A public meeting was held at Ullingswick.

This is the democratic process in action. Both are exercising their legal rights and it is a pity the one issue on which everyone has been updated concerns the mindless behaviour of people to whom democracy must seem an alien concept.

Following a site meeting it is hoped the planners will come to a satisfactory decision, based on evidence before them, while bearing in mind public feeling.

MARTIN FIELD,

Burley Gate, Hereford.