In response to the letter from Councillor Amy Kennedy (Letters, November 6) criticising my comments on a planning application for parking around the green in Marden Close, Woodingdean, I am a forgiving soul and recognise Councillor Kennedy's lack of experience as a member of the planning committee.

As Coun Kennedy gains experience she will realise planning decisions are not always straight-forward. A term regularly used when arriving at just such a decision is "on balance".

This means there are points for and points against an application.

Marden Close was just such an application.

I acknowledge the application was contrary to certain planning policies (as are some other applications which are granted) but voted for the application for the following reasons: the green is already being used as a car park and we were shown photos of vans and cars parked all over the green.

This irregular parking is dangerous to those using the green, turns it into a mud bath after rain and is unsightly.

The application was for landscaping and just five parking spaces on the west and east side of the green. When the works are completed the area will be both safer and more attractive than it is at present. This small loss of green space is more than compensated for by the mass of open space close by.

It should also be pointed out this application was democracy in action.

Local residents contacted their council and local councillor to improve a poor situation and the council acted on their behalf. The planning application was voted on in a democratic fashion at the planning pommittee.

Coun Kennedy may not approve of the decision made but it is this same democratic system which elected her to the council.