Cllr STEPHEN SMITH, of Britannia Avenue, Townstal, writes:

I refer to Kevin Pyne’s letter ‘Second homes bring down town’,. Chronicle, January 15.

I read with great interest the comments that he made and could not agree more.

If Kevin takes the time and researches the archives of the Chronicle since 2007, he will see that I have been critical over second homes, affordable housing for locals on low incomes, police cover in the community and luxury developments. Because I called the Sails development ‘Millionaires’ Row’, I was warned legal action could be taken against me for this comment unless I refiuted it. My reply was that I would, when hell freezes over.

Mr Pyne has referred to the Sails development as an awful monstrosity, so his comments agree with mine.

But I do refute his comment ‘our council is as bad as our district council: it simply does not engage with those it should serve or indeed care.’ This is unfair and inaccurate.

The situation with second homes has not happened overnight; it’s taken many years to impact on our community. Affordable housing has come second to market value provision. Dartmouth Town Council has, for as long as I can remember, fought the battle in favour of affordable homes.

Mr Pyne, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to second your nomination paper to stand for local or district council for this community at the next vacancy, as in your view we have got it all wrong and you have all the answers.