WITH reference to the article "Refusal for church plan" (Shuttle/Times & News, October 17), I am one of the objectors to the extension to the Holy Family Church in Bewdley.

I was invited to put my views and concerns to the Planning and Environment Division, Land Oak House, Kidderminster. This I did.

I received acknowledgement of my letter and I went to view the plans.

On September 30, out of interest, I attended the planning committee meeting of Bewdley Town Council, to hear the views of all concerned.

I was very dismayed to hear council members making statements that clearly misrepresented the situation.

They were delivered with passion and force, with the aim of persuading other members to pass the application.

It is a great pity they were not based on fact. I can only presume that the member in question had not been given the correct information or had not taken the time to research his source.

On October 15 I attended the district council's planning committee meeting at Kidderminster Town Hall, only to hear the same councillor now trying to influence this committee with the same incorrect information.

As a member of the public I was unable to address either of the meetings, to correct the inaccurate and misleading information being given.

I have always believed that the role of any committee is to study the presented information and to come to a decision based on fact.

It was pleasing in this case to see the majority of committee members discussing the case in a professional manner and not letting sentiment and passion blur their judgement.

When leaving the meeting I found myself wondering how many applications have in the past been given the go-ahead based on inaccurate information given by committee members.

Perhaps it is now time to re-think the planning application process and allow members of the public to have a time slot at meetings so that they can redress any areas of concern.

AJ GITTINGS-BROUGHTON

High Street

Bewdley