FOLLOWING the decision, by 5 votes to 3, by Eastleigh LAC councillors to reject the proposed extension to the airport runway, I scrolled down the dozens of comments.

I was, frankly, appalled by some of them, by the sheer vitriol evident on the part of some of those who disagreed and by the snide suggestions about ‘brown envelopes’.

This is a popular myth. The amount of bribery and corruption in planning decisions in local government is so tiny as to be almost non-existent.

Why can I be so sure?

Because for some dozen years I sat on Eastleigh Borough Council’s planning committee and for much of that time was its chairman.

I was shouted at, sometimes accused of not listening (after hours of debate, when listening was all we’d done) and even occasionally threatened with physical violence, as were the planning staff with me.

But no one ever, ever, offered me a financial inducement or a bribe.

I am currently chairman of my parish council’s planning, highways and licensing committee, and the same applies there (though, of course, we have no powers, other than advisory and the right to be consulted).

There were also accusations, usually anonymous, of ‘zombie’ and ‘numbskull’ councillors.

Of the eight LAC members, five have university degrees and two of them have a master’s {as do I, incidentally).

They are certainly better qualified to make their decision than the average person, and it is insulting to describe them in such terms .

No wonder many highly suitable potential councillors shy away from seeking election, aware of what they may be subjected to by ignorant and ill-tempered members of the public.

I disagree with the majority decision.

However, I do not question the integrity or ability of the majority, and knowing most of them personally as colleagues (we are, after all, all members of the same party) my personal friendships will not be affected one way or the other.

It is perfectly possible to disagree with someone without falling out with them, and I would urge members of the public to respect councillors’ decisions without assuming bad faith, stupidity or corruption.

Martin Kyrle

Chandler’s Ford