PLANNING

THE demolition of the house called Chesterfield in Stanhope Road, Darlington, would be a disgraceful loss to the town. Leaving aside the design of the proposed replacement, Darlington council's decision on whether to grant approval for the demolition rests on one question - has the developer made every effort to retain this building?

The structural survey only identifies some subsidence in one corner of the building. The survey itemises major structural alterations needed to convert Chesterfield into 15 flats. Could fewer flats be created without such costly alterations?

Government Planning Policy Guidance (PPG15) states that "demolition of buildings which make a positive contribution to the character, or appearance of a conservation area should not be granted "without clear and convincing evidence that all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain" them. It further states that the Secretary of State "would not expect consent to demolition to be given simply because redevelopment is economically more attractive to the developer than repair and re-use".

Darlington council, English Heritage, the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) and the people of Darlington agree that Chesterfield is a fine building which adds incalculable value to Stanhope Road Conservation Area.

English Heritage has offered, and has the power, to assist in seeking the retention and re-use of Chesterfield. It was only consulted in November 2001 and the developer has not had time to explore this option.

I believe that Darlington council has a duty to ensure that the Government guidance has been satisfied and therefore the council has no option but to refuse this application tomorrow. - Jenny Leeming, Member of the Landscape Institute, Langholm Crescent, Darlington.

GILLING WEST

GILLING West in North Yorkshire is designated as a "Conservation Village" and I am appalled to learn of the proposal to site a telecommunication mast on its Northern skyline. I object, in the strongest possible terms, that one of the few remaining unspoiled localities in the Richmondshire council area is to be disfigured by a mast of this nature.

The company behind the scheme says that three other locations have been "considered" but are "too far" from the nearest mast in the chain. This is fatuous in the extreme. It should install more unobtrusive, intermediate masts.

In recent times, the district council has done its best to despoil Gilling West. Firstly, it tried to foist on the village a refuse collection depot which was to be in the most dangerous part of the High Street, adjacent to a narrow hump back bridge!

It then allows a lake to be dug, on a known flood plain, adjacent to an Aged Persons Complex, which according to independent experts, will cause the local beck, when in flood, to inundate not only this complex, but the properties downstream.

Additionally, it is currently "considering" a proposal to build a concrete road across our award-winning Millennium Green; and now we have this latest obscene proposition.

Decisions on these matters have, or will be, delegated to officers. Why is everything done so covertly? This is a total abrogation of responsibility by our elected representatives.

Wake up Gilling!. Wake up England! - CJ Watson, Gilling West.

RAIL FUTURE

AS Railtrack's rolling stock seems to need urgent maintenance, I suggest the eventual conversion to the magnetised rail which causes the train to hover above the line.

This could save on track maintenance and would be fast and silent. Come on, it's 2002. - F Atkinson, Shincliffe.

BREAST CANCER

HOW about making 2002 a year to remember by joining Breakthrough Breast Cancer's £1,000 Challenge?

Ten years ago, it was Breakthrough's dream to establish the first centre in the UK dedicated to breast cancer research. It was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1999 and now scientists are looking into the causes, and treatment, of breast cancer. To fund this very important research, Breakthrough needs £5m every year.

It doesn't matter how long it takes you to raise £1,000, or how many of you join together to do it. For every £1,000 raised, Kodak will contribute an extra £100 up to a total of £100,000.

So make that New Year's resolution and call the Kodak/Breakthrough £1,000 Challenge hotline on 0207 557 6611. - Gaby Roslin, Jane Horrocks, Barbara Windsor.