NOTE to John Armstrong of Etherley (HAS, May 29) - the election is over, so there is no need for political point-scoring when discussing the proposed Eleven Arches development in Bishop Auckland.

He lives far enough from the site for any noise or access to have no impact on his home life whatsoever, but others live closer.

He claims "it can only be because the socialist council is once more against any new initiative provided by private enterprise”. Perhaps it's a case of once bitten (by Tindale shopping centre), twice shy in terms of what's good for the town centre.

I passionately want this project to succeed.

I live within a few hundred yards of it, but not in an area likely to be affected by "increased footfall", and I'm not bothered about the noise - but that's just me.

The last thing we should wish for is a planning process that rides rough-shod over the concerns of those who live close to the site. Let's address the parking, access, and noise issues in a thorough and proper manner, and satisfy the concerns of those living adjacent to the site before moving on.

It is to be hoped, however, that the council will be represented at the project's open day in the Bishop Auckland Market Place on June 6 (10am-3pm).

P Dobson, Bishop Auckland