I was interested to read the letter in last week’s newspaper from Ann Langford relating to Monmouthshire County Council’s Growth and Spatial Options plan (New homes plan, Beacon letters 31st July).

Having read this document myself, I was moved to make comment on many areas of its contents. So I emailed a letter to the planning department. A response thanked me for my correspondence, but stated that for it to be valid, I had to use their dedicated web page, register, wait two to three days for confirmation of my registration and then resubmit my letter.

I went to the link provided, filled in the registration form and submitted it. After a few days and no confirmation, I thought that I must have done something wrong, so went through the procedure again. Still no confirmation so I emailed the planning department again and said I was having problems registering. I was told that I was registered and could submit my representation.

After spending about an hour trying to ‘log on’, being told my password wasn’t recognised and going round in circles trying to re set it, I decided to phone MCC. Time again passed whilst the ‘person who could help’ was found. Eventually I spoke to a young man who went through the log on procedure again (and again), assuring me all the time that others had had no problem using the system. When it was obvious that we were both wasting our time, he said that he had my original letter on file and this would be accepted as a valid representation to the plan.

Maybe it’s only myself and Ms Langford who have had problems, but I doubt it!

Mrs S Reynolds (Llandogo)