The Hawerby Trust deserve thanks for its contribution to the Kingswear Village Hall development fund, and so too Mr and Mrs Wynne Griffiths for their facilitation, Dartmouth Chronicle, September 8.

But that beneficence should not be conflated with Mr Griffiths’ quoted concerns about “a small self-appointed clique who stomp around the village complaining and objecting to any change, harassing councillors, hounding planners, lobbying local papers, wasting rate payers’ money…”.

There can be problems with cliques. Two years ago, some residents compiled a letter alleging three councillors had acted in their own self-interest.

Those compilers remain anonymous, and their allegations have not been investigated. It is also true that many residents express concern about the impact of change and development in Kingswear, particularly in our Conservation Area.

But I know of none who objected to the plans Mr Griffiths submitted for a kitchen extension at Kittery Quay; none who stomp around harassing councillors – holding councillors to account does not constitute harassment; none who expect planners to do anything other than ensure planning regulations are not flouted; none who lobby local papers – which, having no role in legislation, cannot be lobbied) and none whose actions waste rate payers’ money.

I know of no clique which behaves like this.

If Mr Griffiths has information to the contrary, he should be more specific and identify the clique’s members so that any issues of concern may be dealt with openly.

Dealing with contentious matters always costs ratepayers, but without clarification, we cannot assess Mr Griffiths’ particular concerns.

In any event, that is the price of living in our Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and our friendly community, where most residents comply with regulations, and share Mr and Mrs Griffiths’ declared sensitivity and intention to maintain “the appearance and character that attracted us to Kingswear.” Welcome.

Richard Rawlins

Beacon Road, Kingswear