My questions are, why was I not consulted by the appropriate Government bodies, and, who gave permission for this criminal justice centre to be built at the end of the footpath that leads up from the park into Back Lane, Hardingstone?

There is no public transport at the business park and I understand that the prisoners, when released, will have to come up into the village to get transport.

Every type of prisoner will be processed at the centre from muggers to paedophiles and there is a strong possibility that these individuals will pose a threat to my house, my children and those of the residents in the lane who are fairly elderly and others who are equally vulnerable.

Surely I have a right to be consulted and given the opportunity to object? Councillor Phil Larratt seems pleased in his article in the local Link magazine that "there is now no prospect of the development at Wootton Hall and that this facility will now be provided away from residential properties".

What about the residents of Hardingstone?
Leslie Jaeger,
Back Lane, Hardingstone.

Headstone is installed at last
I spent the first half of my life in Northamptonshire and since then have lived in Australia for over 30 years. In May 2007 I returned to Daventry with the express purpose of arranging a memorial on my parents' 30-year-old grave.

I visited L P Finn Memorials in Towcester and arranged for a headstone.

The creation of the memorial was very expertly carried out.

Unfortunately I then encountered problems because the grave could not be located. Twelve months of protracted negotiations followed in order to establish the right grave.

Happily the issue has now been resolved and the memorial installed.

I am grateful to personal friends in the Knightley parishes who were very kind and supportive.

The Minister, the Rev Michael Petitt, and members of Preston Capes parish did their Christian best to solve a problem which was not of their making. Most particularly, I am grateful to Canon Hemingray who guided me through the procedures to be followed.

Finally, my thanks to Mr Finn who stored the memorial for months, then placed it promptly and was kind enough to send me photographs.
Mrs Penny Williams,
Hamlyn Heights, Victoria, Australia.

Don't give up on our shoe shops
While I have to agree about the lack of individual shoe shops in Northampton, this is not for the want of trying.

In the past few years some very brave people have tried, ie, Clique in Wellingborough Road, Fab shoes in St Giles Street, and there was one more in St Giles Street (housed in the old tourist information shop) but unfortunately I have forgotten their name. All had to close their doors because of lack of trade.

It was a shame you did not mention the very best independent shoe shop in Northampton, that being Stuart's Shoes in Wellingborough Road, which has a fantastic range of European shoes and fine traditional English made shoes for men and women and parking right outside to boot!

So ladies and gentlemen of Northampton, have a look before you traipse over to MK. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Mrs S Biddle,
Vernon Terrace, Northampton.

Lisbon Treaty on borrowed time
Derek Clark's rant against the Conservative Party (Viewpoint, June 13) seems to have lost touch with reality entirely.

Conservatives have campaigned consistently for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

I seem to have been doing little else for the last year and I have supported the legal challenge for a referendum by businessman Stuart Wheeler, on which the High Court is currently reserving judgement.

David Cameron has been all over the media insisting that the Lisbon Treaty must now be abandoned and calling on Gordon Brown to stop ratification.

And if the wretched treaty is fully in place by the time the Conservatives form the next government, we have made it clear that we will not accept its legitimacy and will not allow it to stand.

Perhaps Derek needs a reality check before putting pen to paper.
Roger Helmer MEP,
Conservative, Northamptonshire.

Lib Dems stalled Sixfields plan
I read with interest the article by your chief reporter regarding the ongoing Sixfields development saga.

The comment that the argument is about "rejuvenating" the area smacks of ignorance as to the original concept of the whole site, which was as a designated area for use by the town's Football League team, coupled with a lending to various social and leisure areas.

The main topic of contention was regarding comments made by Councillor Richard Church, who stated that the development should sustain no shopping areas that would be in competition with the town centre.

A selection of successive councils have actively discouraged town centre trade by way of poor traffic flow schemes, severely restrictive parking conditions and astronomical long-term shop lease rates.

The town has degenerated to a community of short-term, low-joint pound shops, charity hand-out franchises and seedy late night drinking areas, supported by grubby fast food outlets.

Perhaps his objections might appear more tangible had they made more impact on these converse decisions than to direct against a proposed progressive development by the football club and its owners which would encourage major new business ventures to the area of Sixfields.

The area master plan has been touted and levied as a viable proposition for a number of years now. Only Councillor Church and his Lib Dem compatriots have stalled progression.

They should relent their misguided objections and allow Northampton to become the progressive major town that it pretends to be.
Derek Steele,
Denbigh Road, Northampton.

No bus service
It's great news for people using the 29 and 30 bus route in Northampton who now get a 50p fare ride.

But it would be nice if we still had a bus that ran up Fishponds Road, whatever the price.

When the number eight route was cancelled, it meant a lot of people who needed to use local transport in this area were left stranded with a long walk to catch a bus.

Which leaves me to wonder why bus shelters and paving were replaced, along with new yellow road markings, when it was clear the buses were no longer going to come along Fishponds Road.
What a complete waste of money.
E Smith,
Campion Court, Northampton.

Friendly drivers
I would like to say what a good service is provided for the residents of Kings Heath, Northampton, by the Meridian Bus company.

I feel the service is far better and punctual than the First Bus service which is run in this area and also the drivers are very friendly and always willing to help both old and young.

Long may this service continue in Kings Heath because without it I think it would be a huge loss to the area it serves and would open up a hole in the transport issue of which First wouldn't be able to fill in.
Keep up the good work!
Craig Steele,
Brookside Meadows, Dallington, Northampton.