I have read your coverage of the Mendip Farmer's Hunt application with increasing bewilderment.

Had we inadvertently applied for a nuclear power station, a ribbon development of brothels, an open-cast mining site? No, it was as I thought. We have applied to stable horses and kennel hounds in an isolated rural position, from which to hunt the Mendip Hills as they have been hunted since Napoleonic times.

In making that application, we have followed due planning process to the letter. If protestors think that process is "arrogant", their quarrel is not with the Mendip Farmer's Hunt but with the Secretary of State. Consultation is mandated in Whitehall, not in Wells.

We asked for the open meeting you reported last week. Like hundreds of others I was disappointed that the key points of the hunt's arguments went unreported. Perhaps they are inconvenient: noise will be unobtrusive; hygiene standards will be inspected monthly by DEFRA and traffic will go up by a grand total of three employees. Alastair Martin's habitual professionalism was mistaken for unconcern, and his courtesy for obsequy. Now anonymous residents have put up an anti-hunt website showing a pet being attacked by Irish hounds; our machinery has been vandalised in the night and malicious allegations of professional misconduct have been made against hunt supporters. Yet we are told that we should be ashamed of ourselves?

Please be very clear. In 30 days time our pack of hounds must leave their kennels. There is nowhere for them to go. We have looked day and night for supporters to buy the current kennels, without luck. We are, unfortunately, where we are.

R H J Williams

Mendip Farmer's Hunt

Long Street

Croscombe

I am disgusted that Mendip Hunt is planning to site kennels just along the road from my home in Coles Lane, Chewton Mendip, without having the common decency to consult me.

I was born in Coles Lane more than half a century ago and have lived here all my life. Surely that qualifies me for a little courtesy, even from an organisation which has shown itself to be arrogant, secretive and downright untrustworthy.

I don't want the kennels because of the extra traffic that would be generated on the narrow lane outside my bungalow, which is totally unsuitable for such an increase. Also I shudder to imagine how noisy some 80 hounds would be. I would hate to see the lovely green fields covered in concrete, and I fear for the children who use the lane on a regular basis. How would they cope when suddenly confronted with a pack of dogs being exercised?

The Mendip Hunt should heed the message of the recent public meeting at which an overwhelming majority of villagers voted that it should not be allowed to inflict itself on a community which so clearly doesn't want it.

Jackie Hill

Chewton Mendip