I was amazed to return from holiday to see the proposed Southern Water development at Portobello saga is still filling newspaper pages.

However, I must protest at the letter from the Campaign for Residents Against Portobello, (Opinion, August 24), which claims the resurrection of the Portobello saga by Telscombe Town Council prior to the result of the public inquiry is an affront to the vast majority of residents.

I am stating so there is no shadow of doubt whatsoever, Telscombe Town Council has not approached Southern Water at any time since the appeal was heard earlier in the year.

Southern Water wrote to the council out of the blue asking if, in the event of the appeal being successful, the council would be willing to negotiate.

They wanted a simple yes or no answer. Having received the letter, it was the duty of councillors to discuss it and make a decision.

I can also confirm that I have not heard any of my councillors express a wish to sell the Tye.

It seems people simply do not want to know, or recognise, the truth and members of my council are being blamed for actions they have not taken. All my councillors are against the proposed development of Portobello and the selling of Telscombe Tye.

Southern Water approached the council without any prompting at all. It was simply trying to be prepared for the next step following the result of the appeal.

-Kathleen Verrall, Town clerk, Telscombe Town Council