Your item confirming that the New Forest National Park Authority, have given to consent for a McDonalds Drive-Thru at Picket Post, Burley, is an appalling decision.

I would not mind re-opening a sit-down eatery, but a drive-thru will be extremely dangerous, as the A31 has a 70 mph limit.

It has been reported many times, this stretch of road has seen several deaths due many to fast driving. That is why other locals and I wanted a 50 mph restriction.

The slip road is also the route into Burley and beyond, drivers will be now have to cope, once built, with traffic using the restaurant. Many no doubt will leave with burger and drink in hand, and re-entering the 70 mph road! Then witnesses all the accidents and more deaths.

If I were on the National Park Authority panel I would have suggested the land be return to open forest.

However Conservative Cllr Maureen Holding claims that jobs must come first.

She obviously has no love for the actual New Forest in the same way she supported the extensions of the White Buck Inn at Burley, which is situated in a width restricted road.

There is no sign posting at Durmast Corner and the pub is adjacent to residential privately owned homes in a semi-rural area.

The National Park Panel consists in part of councillors who often come from town, not the heritage area. And as the Conservatives do dominate all the local councils, they as usual do not give a damn about local residents’ feelings. And yet it is they who claim to have a localism policy!

I am not an outsider who moved here. Therefore I do have a right of an opinion. I know most who are genuine New Forest folk will agree with my sentiments. But strangely will not express they thoughts openly in case of come-backs or seen not to be supporting the Conservatives.

Richard Grant, Bisterne Close, Burley