I NOTE with dismay details of a proposed closed meeting of West Wiltshire District Council planning committee, to 'discuss' the Hilperton Relief Road planning application.

The planning system is already viewed with disquiet by many members of the public, and this sort of thing is not going to inspire confidence. The general perception is that a decision about the road has already been made, and this extra meeting, I would suggest, will only strengthen this feeling.

I appreciate that the chairman of the planning committee is fully entitled to call extra meetings but I fear that this one could cause problems.

At the very least allow the public to attend, but on a 'listen only' basis. Local government is supposed to be 'open', let's not start the new year with West Wiltshire District Council embarking on this rather dubious journey of secrecy.

Cllr E Clark (Ind),

Paxcroft Ward,

West Wiltshire District Council