VALE deputies defended themselves yesterday following claims that they did not do enough for Portinfer residents during their battle with the Environment Department.

After learning that the proposed use of an acre of land for industrial use had been thrown out, resident Brian Rickard, 59 (pictured), who led the campaign, said he felt deputies had not represented them well enough.

‘I have been conducting research on this issue for almost 20 years,’ he said.

‘But why should I be left to do it? We have elected deputies to represent and fight for us.’

However, Matt Fallaize hit back saying he was baffled by Mr Rickard’s comments.

‘I don’t quite know what he is going on about,’ he said.

‘He [Mr Rickard] represented me at the planning inquiry as I was unable to attend, but I had spent a long time writing a large submission for the residents on rezoning, which he presented for me at the inquiry.’

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