ONE can only despair at the mentality of our local planners.

If Councillor Frank Connor (Letters, October 31) has access to an up-to-date map of Blackburn with Darwen, appropriately coloured brown for developed sites and green for unspoiled countryside, he will see where his planning committee's 'balanced' approach has got us.

Now he is willing to consider an application to plonk a wind farm on top of Darwen Moor. He tells us we should wait and see how many giant machines are proposed before the idea can be discussed.

What difference can it possibly make whether it's one of 51? Only a decisive planning policy of 'zero tolerance' will save the pathetic remains of our local countryside.

It's not a matter for party political debate or bargaining with developers. Our countryside needs blanket protection from any further so-called development. Planners and developers should concentrate on sorting out the urban mess that they have already created.

ALEX HEEDE, Old School Lane, Tockholes.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.