I share Steve Hamman's enthusiasm for democracy (The Argus, November 1) but there is a flaw, as demonstrated by the fate of Thatchers Uffington, a lovely Sussex village.

Tesbury's applied to build a supermarket on Long Acre Field, next to the village. Knowing the need for public approval, it invited a vote on the scheme.

Nearby Brightbourne was overwhelmingly in favour and delighted at the prospect of free parking.

About 60,000 votes were recorded. Thatchers Uffington, which didn't like the idea at all, had only 2,000 votes.

-Maurice Packham, Horsham