I AM saddened by the destruction that is happening in and around Lancaster. Have our representatives in the councils and Regional Assembly forgotten us? Let us take a short look at some of the current and threatening developments;

Whinney Carr, providing low-standard housing on green land while houses stand empty in the area.

Bailrigg Business Park, making room (again on the green belt) for GM cloning and God knows what else.

Bailrigg campus expansion, threatening Ellel and Galgate with the flood, not to mention the ghastly site of poor quality concrete Lego houses; and joining Lancaster to Galgate. Business park near the motorway northern junction. New supermarket on Back Caton Road - do we really need another supermarket sucking the heat out of our city? (Wouldn't it he nice to support our own local market and traders for a change, instead of letting some international conglomerate take all our money away to the other side of the world). A so-called 'piazza' at the Priory - in reality little more than a car park to complement the radio mast on top of the tower. High rise housing next to the Town Hall, spoiling the once wonderful view of the town from Williamson Park. Shouldn't there be a ban on building higher than two-three stories in the city centre?

Canal road - the Eastern Relief Road - I doubt I need mention the damage that will cause, with more congestion, pollution and physically dividing the town (yet again!) with a flow of tarmac, steel and pollution.

I am sure I have missed a few out here, but the list suffices to show that our town is being stripped of its green belt and its pleasant urban architectural vistas. Will our town be any different from other urban centres (such as, dare I say it, Coventry or Wolverhampton) once the so-called developers have finished making their fast buck?

The discussion surrounding the Canal Corridor and Supermarket gives us a positive opportunity to develop this area in a way that is in tune with our city's cultural heritage and supports a high quality of living (which isn't measured in cars and consumer goods, by the way, but how. much one enjoys life. Pleasant and green surroundings are essential for that.) I call on all citizens of the area to demand the preservation of the green belt, and our heritage, in the city - maintaining and improving the living standards for local people and visitors alike!

Hugh Grenfell

Regent Street