MADAM - Having read Chris BelcherÕs letter of the August 14, I have the same feelings towards the councillors on the planning committee at Stroud District Council.

Too many times they are put between a rock and a hard place, having to make difficult decisions in the face of local opposition and objections.
A case in point will be the two proposed supermarkets; when was the last time a proposed supermarket was not built in Gloucestershire.
If the local planners turn it down, it goes to appeal, and surprise, surprise, the cash rich supermarkets overwhelm the voices of the local planners and councillors with there ability to employ all manner of experts.
Yet the local planners always get the blame.
I have yet to hear a voice in support of the proposed Morrisons at Ryeford, where the site is not only on the flood plain of the River Frome, parts are often under water.
Even on a national scale, politicians are too scared to tackle the difficult problems.
This country seems to have no clear energy, drugs, youth unemployment, immigration or housing policy and have yet to work out that the last three are intrinsically linked.
ItÕs easier to play around the edges, with what ever topic the Sun and the Daily Mail run with, than sort out societyÕs real problems.
Were Governments ever strong?

Mike Stayte
Cambridge