Libellous Attacks Deplored

Hurst Village Society chairman David Shapland and District Councillor Annette Drake have criticised the poster campaign by a Hurst resident against the householders who are selling their homes in School Road to developers.

The posters containing what amounted to libellous attacks appeared on the St. Nicholas School notice board and on the window of Hurst Post Office in May, and have since been destroyed.

"We absolutely deplore this type of activity," said David Shapland. "There is no reason for anyone to attack any resident for selling their property to make money."

Councillor Annette Drake said: "There are several ways people can object to the plans, and this is not one of them. Targeting our Primary School with scurrilous posters is disgraceful. Furthermore, to abuse our village shop and Post Office, a vital village service, by pasting defamatory notices on the window, to the embarrassment of the innocent hard working owner is a cowardly act beyond belief!

"Everyone has the right to realize their assets most of which tend to be tied up in property. I do not want to see a development of 25 homes on this site, but this is not a personal matter. The owners of the four homes are within their rights to sell to a developer, and we have a right to comment to the council on the proposals. Democracy works both ways!"