WITH regard to the proposed AD plant being refused permission after all this time, it astounds me and anyone with a smidgeon of common sense.

I fail to see why this decision has been made pandering to a minority of people when it would be beneficial for so many. The reasons given are pathetic – the odour would be insignificant, certainly not as bad as poultry farms, muck spreading and other rural smells which are part of living in a farming area. As for the old tanks not being gas tight, this surely would have systems in place to detect any leakage, not least for fire regulations.

Objectors have a sanitised view of true country life. It is not all birds singing and nice views – life is hard, working all hours in all weathers to provide food for the ever increasing population. If they don’t like it – go and live in an urban area and leave hard working people alone.

Susan Cooper (not connected with farming in any way)