NOW Councillor Nigel Hicks has responded to my letters regarding greenfield sites and urban open green spaces when planning applications are about to devour these, his statement 'it is our duty to weigh up all factors in reaching our decision' (Letters, June 4) makes me also ask him can he place hand on heart to confirm all factors of objection were democratically weighed up in reaching a decision on the Grangers Lane greenfield application?

For instance, the noise report claimed category C, which is presumption for no build unless mitigation measures can be made.

If the proposed development was closer to The Slough properties, the decibel rating would be category D, which is a no residential build.

There was just one decibel difference for the site to be in category D.

Which councillor brought this point to debate? No one.

The report says all windows will have to be kept closed to ensure internal design criterion. Surely this was a factor for debate?

Thirty family homes means lots of children. There are no open play spaces provided for small children, nor does the layout of homes provide these.

A more recent report suggests there are spaces in the estate. The drawing layout does not suggest this.

Policy S1.12 states such spaces should be provided in addition to garden spaces. This policy was not included in the planning report. Why wasn't this factor debated?

These are just two essential factors not considered.

There were 14 objectors with different points to raise. Only seven were allowed to speak.

With such contentious building applications, more time should be given to allow for a full debate.

I sincerely trust that should any urban open green spaces become the subject of a planning application that Mr Hicks will apply his promise to ensure debates and decisions are seen to be fair.

I add debates because there was no fair debate for the Grangers Lane application on April 15.

V KENDRICK

Chairman

Redditch Group

Council for the Protection of Rural England