MADAM - Richard Hillary’s letter to the editor (SNJ, March 19) contained many inaccuracies and misunderstandings, but on one central point he was absolutely correct.

He noted that applications for developments are “being submitted in the time gap between the implication of the National Policy Planning Framework and the adoption of local and neighbourhood plans”; this is spot on, and goes to the heart of the problem we are currently encountering in the Valleys and Vale.

The National Policy Planning Framework is all about planning guidance and should inform the drawing up of local plans.

The absence of a local plan for our area is a serious problem and also the responsibility of the Labour-led council.

Another problem is that there is not a satisfactory designated land supply for the homes so desperately needed in our area. This failure is a long-standing one and may yet cause further delay in the production of an agreed local plan.

As far as neighbourhood plans are concerned, I have repeatedly encouraged parish and town councils to have one because, as re-stated by the Planning Minister, they do arm local communities with the capacity to resist unacceptable or unwanted housing developments.

Since 2011, on several occasions, I have written to town and parish councils to explain the advantages of having a neighbourhood plan, and I have also organised two public meetings to explain how local plans could be formulated.

In case councils have been worried about the finance for them, I have also been at pains to point out that there is a fund of £1.4 million available to support the processes leading up to a neighbourhood plan.

Mr Hillary either chose to ignore or did not comprehend the measures I have taken in the specific case of Mankley Field, or indeed other applications.

In these cases I have written to the council to express my opposition and to the Secretary of State (most recently in connection with Mankley Field, and the ministerial reply has already been circulated to senior campaign organisers).

A quick glance at my website would furnish anyone with the appropriate information.

I know planning is a complicated subject, but as Abraham Lincoln noted, it is often better to set aside a letter written in haste before sending it without being fully aware of all the relevant details.

Neil Carmichael

MP for Stroud