I WROTE recently about the proposed demolition of a Victorian house in Pembroke Terrace.

This week I "put my money where my mouth was" and stood in Windsor Road with a computer generated impression of the proposed development.

It was an extrememly windy day. The petition I had, attached to two clipboards, was blowing around.

Fortunately I had found some elastic bands dropped by the postman and was able to stabilise the flapping paper.

From then on it was the petition which took off.

The response from the general public was wonderful. My previous comments about working as a community were much in evidence.

People, not only from my end of town, but all over Penarth, Dinas Powys, Sully and Barry, commented on the "horrible" way developers were spoiling our towns.

Asking how they were allowed to "get away with it".

Many spoke, defeatedly, of their own experience. They were eager to sign the petition as a means of having their voice heard.

What would have been the response had I been able to stand for many more hours?

So thank you Penarth, Dinas Powys, Sully and Barry - plus the visitors to the town, who added their voice.

So, do we need to question the system, which has our Town Council and Vale Council turning down outlandish planning applications and some anonymous inspector from the Welsh Assembly over-riding their decision?

Who are these inspectors? Are they totally unbiased? How would they feel if they had to live with some of the results of their debatable decision-making?

Another point - don't architects have a social conscience?

Or is their need to be recognised so great that they blast into orbit when confronted with a small piece of spare land.

GD Wookey Pembroke Terrace