Sir, - I have long admired the hard-working Coun John Coulson, and usually applauded his efforts, but for once he surely is wrong.

According to your report of the Northallerton Town Council meeting (D&S, June 25) he (and Couns Law and Wake) opposed the development planned on the site of Walter Thompson, the building contractors, which included the demolition of a few old cottages.

First, the cottages are in a situation remote from the town centre.

Second, thanks to the builders, the fronts have been "dickered up" but they are not habitable and contribute nothing to housing requirements or the local economy. And in these days of increasing taxation, this is not tenable. Presumably, behind the fronts they are worthless shells and we cannot expect the owners to continue to maintain them indefinitely.

Third, this part of the town is not residential but used for industrial or commercial purposes, surely the intention of good planning.

Fourth, we should give the impression to those entering the town from the North that this is a vibrant town, not a useless facade.

Fifth, the future is so uncertain we must not lose an opportunity to provide another source of employment.

Sixth, we should avoid the sort of dissension and controversy which years ago denied us the opportunity of having a ring road. Instead we have a town which is a crossroads of major routes choked with traffic.

Seventh, the new building proposed, well planned, and constructed, will be an asset to the town instead of a few old cottages.

Eighth, we really owe Walter Thompson support. For years it has been a major employer and has contributed much to the local economy. Pettifogging attitudes against companies like this risks the possibility in the future of them going elsewhere.

I am sorry to oppose John Coulson, especially as he was the only person of any authority who tried to help the inhabitants of Church View, Brompton, in their endeavours over many years to persuade the county council to re-make the road and provide proper drainage, commensurate with this conservation area.

Now guess what has happened The quiet road, Orchard Grove, serving the old people's estate has had a stretch re-surfaced. The busy Church View road remains an unsightly mess of patches and recurring potholes. Some councillors and public servants seem to prefer to spend their time opposing progress.

R C DALES

Church View,

Brompton.

Northallerton.