Sir, - I refer to the article (D&S Mar 22) about the new art gallery for Darlington.

Knowing that Crown Street Gallery would have to close, I have been working very hard with council officers to identify a suitable alternative space. The old rates hall is the only one which fits the criteria and could be suggested to Darlington Society of Arts and the other individuals and societies which are potential users.

On that basis a consultation meeting was called, intended to be the first of a series of such meetings, in a genuine wish to seek opinion. If the building had been considered unsuitable, we would not continue with the scheme, however, it did meet with the approval of the majority.

The council would have deserved criticism if it had no alternative to suggest; as it is, I am very pleased and relieved to be able to offer a practical solution to the problem.

I hope to continue the dialogue with exhibitors and users alike in developing this new resource into an exciting and attractive exhibition space.

Coun DOROTHY LONG

Cabinet member for leisure,

Town Hall,

Darlington.

Violent legacy

Sir, - In 1993 one of my sons was playing football at Hundens Park, Darlington, when a member of the opposing team hit him from behind. This was an off-the-ball incident and the referee did not see it.

My son was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where his head was X-rayed and it was confirmed his jaw was broken in two places. The casualty department told him it did not repair jaws and could he make his way to Middlesbrough General.

He was in considerable pain and I drove him to Middlesbrough. He was admitted, seen by doctors and told they would operate on him the following day.

I telephoned the police and reported the matter. On the Sunday morning the police rang to say the miscreant had been seen and charged with assault.

My son had the operation and has suffered nine years of pain and discomfort. He was advised by his dentist to go back to his doctor as the plates had come loose.

In February this year he was admitted to Darlington Memorial and was operated on and the plate and screws etc. removed. He was kept in overnight as there were complications. The perpetrator of the assault said he was surprised he had broken a jaw just by hitting him. He was taken to court and subsequently fined.

My son received a desultory amount from the Criminal Injuries Board and is still suffering pain.

JOHN A BARR

Brinkburn Road,

Darlington.

Seeking a solution

Sir, - In reply to D Reed's letter concerning a new surgery at Aldbrough St John (D&S, Mar 22), the formal objectors to the planning application represent seven households out of 143 within the village alone, so the parish council is effectively representing the large majority in approving the application.

When the parish council objected to the application to build Crossbury Manor it was following guidelines laid down by the planning authority against building on hilltops or close to prominent skylines.

Mr Featherstone and his colleagues chose to ignore their own guidelines and approve the Crossbury development, which is a much larger building than that which is proposed for the new surgery.

For reasons so far known only to him Mr Featherstone now chooses to invoke the same guidelines his department has previously ignored. The kind of contradiction that all too often leaves parish councils bewildered if not infuriated. Crossbury Manor benefited one family (and I have no objection to that) but the new surgery will benefit the inhabitants of 20 villages! In his report to the planning committee Mr Featherstone states "there is no significantly better location for the replacement surgery."

The weightiest objection comes from the highways authority concerning the narrowness of the road and as I stated at the site meeting the parish council has asked and suggested numerous ways this could be improved over the years.

The grass verge to the north of the road is highways property and could be partially or even completely removed to widen the road to the benefit of all concerned, including residents along that road.

I can only hope that with something like this in mind Mr Featherstone's deferment may buy time to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Coun IAN WARDLE

Parish councillor,

Appleby Close,

Aldbrough St John