I READ with interest, and approval, the two recent letters from an ex-Bury man on a visit from Australia (Aug 13) and the other from H. Silver (Aug 20), relating to the deterioration of this town. I would echo their sentiments in placing the responsibility for this state of affairs on successive town councils and, in particular, planning committees.

It has been - and still is - the general practice of those bodies to give planning permission to industrial premises in the middle of residential areas, continually over-ruling the objections of local people. In doing so they create more areas where an untidy mix of houses and factories exists.

One example of this, mentioned in the letters, is the chemical works off Ainsworth Road. I remember attending an objectors meeting with local residents, former MP Mr Burt and councillors before this planning proposal was discussed. It was all to no avail and the application was passed, to the obvious detriment of this district. We have constant noise, and many delivery vehicles, because of their size, have great difficulty entering the premises, causing disruption to traffic on Ainsworth Road. This works should be on an industrial estate, not where people live.

This is just one of many such instances where local opposition has been ignored and it is one of the main reasons why Bury has become a much less attractive place in which to live.

D. RYDER,

Ainsworth Road,

Bury.

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