I would like to add my support to so many recent excellent letters regarding the proposed merger of the South Hams and West Devon councils and the proposed redevelopment of Kingsbridge’s quay area.

As with so many recent projects proposed by SHDC, decisions seem to be made in advance of any public consultation and then these decisions are justified by misleading and “leading” questionnaires on websites.

Apart from anything else, a large proportion of the residents of the South Hams are elderly and not regular users of the internet, so they are unable to have a voice in these matters.

On the subject of democracy, the local council already seems to pay scant attention to the views of parish or town councils and this merger would push the leadership further away from the individual council tax payer who has no power – except through the ballot box.

One example of the indifference to SHDC to local opinion is the proposal for the redevelopment of Kingsbridge Quay.

Time and time again SHDC lacks true judgement and imagination. Knee-jerk reactions to the lack of funds result in “selling off the family silver”. First of all came the suggestions of developing the only public space in Salcombe which is currently used as a car park for most of the year – a desperately needed facility in Salcombe – but is also available at other times for community activities and celebrations. Now we have a much grander version of this put forward for Kings­bridge quay.

Kingsbridge is a charming market town, attracting visitors from overseas as well as this country. This attraction needs to be enhanced and not destroyed by building all over public spaces.

The local traders in Fore Street already suffer the effects from two large supermarkets, additional shops on the existing car park would hugely exacerbate this.

The erection of shops and houses would prevent access to waterside for the general public and boat owners of moored craft.

As with Salcombe, parking is already an issue. Where on earth would visitors/shoppers park to enjoy the quayside and facilities of Kingsbridge?

There have been excellent suggestions for an underground car park. This would be expensive but would allow the luxury of an open space alongside the quayside, not for development of shops and houses but to enhance the existing charm of the town and facilitate opportunities for community events.

Please can SHDC be encouraged to act genuinely democratically and, in my experience, respect the wishes of the majority.

Carol Tee

Cliff Road, Salcombe