WHILE away on holiday I had a most welcome telephone call from my daughter telling me that the South Shropshire District Council planners had refused to grant permission for the proposed Eco-business Park on land to the north of the bypass at The Sheet.

Those involved in this brave and unexpected decision should be congratulated as such action takes a great deal of courage.

Could it be that the public furore, resulting from the council's dogmatic attitude in recent weeks, has helped in some way?

I hope that a similar degree of common sense prevails when the full council meets in September to debate the proposal once more.

As there seem to be many more suitable sites available within the existing town boundary a decision to withdraw the planning application would be both wise and sensible.

South Shropshire District Council has a golden opportunity to show that it is willing to reward the genuine concern of the majority rather than try to appease the equally passionate but, on this occasion, sadly misguided minority.

Please do not risk squandering more of our council tax on such exercises as a public inquiry, referred to as a possibility if the plans are "called in".

Bite the bullet, make the obviously decision and put this disruptive idea of expanding beyond the natural boundary of Ludlow to rest, once and or all.

John Hughes,

Worcester Road, Burford, Tenbury Wells.