I WRITE with reference to your request for readers' views on the two proposals for out-of-town developments.

Pre 1974, a small, "inefficient" local authority wanted to provide a leisure centre for its residents but, not wanting to go into debt, decided to offer, to the highest bidder, a plot of land with development permission, so as to finance the project.

The main objector to the proposal was the neighbouring large authority on the grounds that an out-of-town store would affect its own town shopping.

Yes, you have guessed it. The "inefficient" council was Horwich UDC and the objector was Bolton CBC to the Tesco development at Mansell Way.

Look at the site today. Bolton cannot stop extolling what has grown from the foresight of Horwich councillors.

Unfortunately, our present powers-that-be still cannot see further than the ends of their noses, and are still adopting the principle that we must protect the town centre and the vast income parking charges.

Progressive thinker

(name and address supplied)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.