ANYONE who watched the BBC Panorama programme about the dire state of the Irish economy may be wondering how an Irishowned property development company can propose a £32m investment to build 50 houses and a hotel on a beautiful rural site near Newton Aycliffe.

Where is the investment to come from? The application, which can be viewed on the Durham County Council planning website, does not seem to deal at all adequately with this crucial point.

Ireland is blighted with scores of unfinished building projects and sites because of the demise of the banks and the economy.

Will Woodham become blighted in the same way? I hope Durham County Council’s planning committee will ensure that evidence is provided for all funding for this development. If not, it should be rejected.

The destruction of our countryside and the abundant wildlife that lives around this area is also at stake.

G Scott, Sedgefield.