THE retail park at St Helen Auckland should never have come about. The original plan was to develop North Bondgate. Had this been done the town would have been bursting with money and activity. All the town centre shops would still be occupied and booming instead of what we see today.

Jonathan Ruffer’s Kynren project, though impressive, has contributed little, if anything, to the prosperity of the area. Indeed, he appears to have purchased at least two public houses in the market place and closed them, reducing the appeal and prosperity even further.

Who are these people at Durham's Labour-controlled county council who have decimated a once vibrant town?

Do they live, work or shop or socialise here? Indeed have they ever been to Bishop Auckland? I think not.

Their unbelievable arrogance is breath-taking.

Harold MacKenley, Cockfield.