Where there are planning applications for large-scale developments on sites not in accordance with County Structure Plan, District Plan or Local Plans, I understand that exceptions have to be rigorously argued on the grounds of "community need".

If it is claimed it is an unavoidable "need" to use a greenfield rather than a brownfield site for a development in the community interest, presumably this would be exceptional need providable by no other means, particularly if the proposed site has other attached risks such as being adjacent to the flood plain, where additional run-off may not easily be calculated.

Unfortunately there is no guidance as to how exceptional "community need" might generally be defined. Although the Environment Agency has somewhat beefed-up powers since last year's floods (it may now require a Flood Risk Assessment from the applicants) its role remains advisory.

If the Local Authority decides to ignore its advice, as many have done with horrendous consequences, it would seem only reasonable that residents wishing to continue having peaceful enjoyment of personal and family life and property should seek to safeguard that right.

If there is risk of devaluation of property through the sudden appearance of large-scale development and a problem in selling on, one might ask who might be legally liable to compensate owner-occupiers with affected properties, the EA if it gave poor advice, the Local Authority if it ignored its good advice or the applicants who might ignore EA advice?

In arguing an exceptional need it has to be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that the kind and scale is essential rather than a professional preference and that the community need may not be met by a development of a different kind on a smaller scale which might enable other more suitable sites to be considered over a more measured time-scale.

As far as public service building is concerned, I believe they need also to demonstrate that the cost long-term to public funds does not outweigh perceived advantages.

Mr Blair's NHS Plan and Primary Care Trusts' Statements of values declare that services must be as close to patients as possible and that as "stakeholders" in the "new" modernised" NHS we have a voice in shaping its future.

Decentralising many previously centrally located services into one unit, on the edge of town scarcely seems to accord with this aspiration nor the "needs" of the community.

Wendy Hands, Church Walk, Upton-upon-Severn.