With regard to the letter from a resident of Clarence Road, Budleigh Salterton, ( Gobsmacked by building plot – Journal letters, April 1), I wish to refute, in the strongest possible terms, the implication that East Devon District Council did not consult fuly or publicise this proposal.

With regard to the letter from a resident of Clarence Road, Budleigh Salterton, ('Gobsmacked by building plot' - Journal letters, April 1), I wish to refute, in the strongest possible terms, the implication that East Devon District Council did not consult fully or publicise this proposal.

Our files clearly show not only that we wrote to 38 residents of the immediate area - Clarence Road, Stanley Mews and Leas Road - but that your correspondent was one of those residents to whom we sent notification of the original proposal and the amended proposal.

Furthermore, our files show that we received two letters from your correspondent, the first commenting on the original proposal and the second on the amended plan.

It is, therefore, incorrect for your correspondent to state she was unaware of the proposals (or indeed gobsmacked) to learn of them after the granting of permission. She was most definitely aware of the application.

In addition to the residents, this proposal was also notified to the town council and to ward members. There were a number of letters of objection from neighbouring properties and the town council also expressed opposition to the plan.

Officers followed the correct procedure in referring the matter to the chairman or vice-chairman of the development management committee for a decision, in the light of no comments being received from ward members. With a lack of material planning reasons for refusal, the proposal was approved.

Whilst the approval of any controversial proposal will understandably cause concern among objectors, it is disingenuous to use incorrect and misleading information to support a critical letter such as this.

Cllr Ray Franklin,

Portfolio Holder, Strategic Planning and Regeneration.