I NOTE that Devon County Council attempted to claim that as costs were not awarded to my wife and I for challenging their Order that the Planning Inspectorate consequently quashed, that this was in some way justification for their actions. (Planning Inspector rules against use of path as bridleway, June 20).

Those who attended the inquiry will be aware that we represented ourselves to challenge this Order. We were advised that legal costs were likely to be scores of thousands of pounds for representation for this four-day public inquiry. 

The nominal costs applied for by us were in part to highlight to those who make such claims so casually that the effects of such applications are a huge strain on communities, and are also a great drain of people's most precious commodity — their time. Time that should have been spent nurturing and enjoying being a young family was instead spent battling the authorities, so as to protect our children's welfare and family home, as well as the communities heritage. This time can never be recovered or compensated for. 

Sadly, it is all too common that society has no choice but to put up with the consequences of erroneous authority decisions, as the procedure for undoing it is all too complicated and financially ruinous.

Bevis Hughes

Lydford