MADAM – May I through your newspaper congratulate our MP, Mr Carmichael and his Government on their success in spoiling the Stanleys forever, during their four years in office.

I admit this is quite an achievement in such a short time.

Our council did not want the Mankley Field development, the people did not want it, but despite the Governments waffle about local people deciding local issues, unknown faces have given the green light to developers, to make money at the expense of the environment we live in.

Our MP has quietly sat on the fence hiding behind Government policy, while blaming others and allowed this to happen.

Surely if Mr Carmichael was concerned about the preservation of the countryside he could have taken the matter to Parliament.

The saying ‘Empty vessels make the most noise’ certainly applies to our MP, but unfortunately he could not even muster a sound.

I suggest the quicker he returns to Cumbria the better, before he allows further damage to the already congested Stroud Valleys.

Land cannot be replaced once built on.

Ken Roberts

Leonard Stanley