The original application was submitted to South Northamptonshire District Council in September 2002. Northampton Borough Council (then a Labour administration) was consulted and the planning committee, at its meeting of November 20, 2002, resolved to ask the Secretary of State to "call in" the application, so that it would be subject to a public inquiry. In addition, it commissioned consultants to examine the impact of the proposed store.
The consultants' report was published in March 2003 and stated that the store would have an adverse effect upon retailing in Northampton and would put at risk the Grosvenor Centre extension.
In September 2003, the planning committee (now under a Conservative administration) considered the application and, in light of the content of the consultants' report, objected to the application.
One interesting point arising from the consultants' report is that it states that the Grosvenor Centre extension is "to be anchored by a new Debenhams department store". Should this be the case, it raises concerns about the future of retailing in The Drapery. In Derby, where the main shopping centre was extended last year, both Debenhams and Marks and Spencer moved from their existing stores into the centre, leaving large empty properties in main streets.
Should anyone wish to download the report, it is available at: http://tinyurl.com/5996ns
Steve Winder,
Green Street, Northampton.

So sad to lose wood's car park
I refer to the article on page three of your April 26 edition, under the heading Blow for nature lovers as wood car park shut.
We are sad and disappointed that an organisation that has done, and is doing, so much to open up woods and forests for the enjoyment of the public should decide to close this useful car park.
Not only will the less able be disadvantaged, but, because of its rather remote location, the public will be denied the beauty of the wood, unless they walk to it.
We find it difficult to accept that it costs £2,000 a year to maintain the security barrier and would ask that the Forestry Commission thinks again.
Maurice Tebbutt,
Area Footpath Secretary, The Ramblers, Northamptonshire Area.

Infrastructure is vital for town
I heartily agree with Brian Binley and Tony Clarke's comments in the Chron (April 30). There are too many agencies concerned in the development of this town.
The much-vaunted WNDC, which was supposed to streamline the planning, has mostly been either moribund of ideas or just played to the developers.
There must be only one agency responsible for all planning and development, it must be accountable to the public, so must be elected.
In this present financial climate, we should not be running headlong into major works without prior indication from Government of some form of promise of aid for the proper inclusion of the necessary infrastructure. The developers sometimes make promises that are worthless.
One only has to look at the problems now occurring in Cambridgeshire to see the problems that can happen. They have schools too small and an infrastructure that cannot cope.
Also, the question has now to be asked: who is going to be living in the extra houses when there is very little provision for local council housing included? It means that it is all supposed to be private and with buyers unable to afford them.
Doug Buckle,
Kentstone Close, Northampton.

Why I'm proud of police force
What an insightful article the interview with Chief Constable Peter Maddison was (May 2). Here is a man who clearly demonstrates he has a conscience as someone in the "real" world, warts and all.
Despite being failed time and again by the Home Office, Mr Maddison says: "Being a leader is not about being popular and it's not about buying popularity".
It must be psychologically draining to be brow beaten continually, again another reason to turn and run.
All I can offer is, as a RoadPeace helpliner, I listen to many people all over the county who have been affected by road traffic crashes in some way and the police are always mentioned by family members, mostly as being supportive, especially the family liaison departments.
So may I say a big thank you, as I am proud of our police force.
Sue Jackson,
Westleigh Close, Abington, Northampton.

MP's hard work is appreciated
Tony Russell (April 24) seems to miss the point. A great many, including myself, are very ready to acknowledge the hard work Sally Keeble does as a constituency MP.
He could have added her hard work on behalf of the people of Africa.
While getting plenty of publicity, she also has a real compassionate concern.
It is good for democracy that people like Tony take a role in the Labour party. Sadly, I find the superimposition of New Labour on the grass roots very undemocratic.
Sally Keeble brings extra pressure on herself by staunchly supporting those policies of New Labour which are most ungodly: this is probably why she resorts to calling us bigots.
As far as the original issue on Robinson House goes, have Mesdames Sally sat down to discuss the issues?
A significant issue is the availability of funds.
The administration is struggling, but striving to succeed against problems built up over many years and increasingly cut Government funding.
Colin Bricher,
Local Spokesman, Christian Peoples Alliance Party , Northampton.

Community's efforts ignored
There is a serious flaw in Mike Pepper's critique of my comments on the team effort which saved Gloucester Avenue Post Office from closure (Give some credit where it's due, Viewpoint, May 1).
In his original letter to the Chronicle & Echo, Brian Binley MP had already alluded to the meetings he had attended with executives of Post Office Limited and with Government Ministers. What he signally failed to do was to recognise and record the equally important part played by all those members of the wider community.
In leaping to Mr Binley's defence, Mr Pepper clearly overlooks the fact that it was precisely this failing by Mr Binley that my letter set out to address.
So, I am in agreement with Mr Pepper: credit where credit is due; but if he is going to make criticisms, then in the interests of balance and objectivity, he needs to ensure they are applied equally to any and all parties who do not meet the test he has set . . . and in this instance, by his own criteria, that would have to include Brian Binley MP.
Councillor Paul Varnsverry,
Liberal Democrat, West Hunsbury Ward, Northampton Borough Council.