IN five days the S.O.A.G. supporters collected 3,788 signatures from residents, former residents and holidaymakers asking the Fylde Borough Council to keep Ashton Institute and all the land within Ashton Gardens free from property developers.

We stated we could not stop development, but they should leave our gardens alone. These gardens were given to the people of St Annes by Lord Ashton for all time and should not be invaded by developers. Our council should not even contemplate selling any part of Ashton Gardens. There is a lot of ill feeling with this proposed intrusion by developers and to the council for allowing this to happen.

The people of St Annes have lost many buildings, plus hospital, Ashton Theatre etc., etc. I feel St Annes residents have suffered enough, as was stated by a member of Fylde council at a meeting in January. (We will soon have nothing, just sand, seat and flats.)

On Monday last I attended the meeting at St Annes Town Hall where the full council was making the decision to demolish the Institute and take part of the land in Ashton Gardens for Newfield Jones' proposed development of flats.

This development could take place without intrusion into the gardens. The councillor who spoke wanting to refer this matter back to the planning committee was not allowed to finish her speech. Councillor Fiddler said that if there were 2,000, 3,000, 10,000 or even the whole borough had signed the petition it did not matter, it was a planning matter. Along with other residents I have objected many times about any part of our gardens being sold, or the Institute being demolished, but this is certainly not a listening council to the people of St Annes. They only listen when they need our votes. The Chief Executive at Monday's meeting did not read any of the letters he had received, as apparently there were many. The decision re this development was already decided. Our council certainly does not listen to the people.

I do thank the councillors who have supported us and want to keep the gardens as they were left to the residents for all time. I feel that some neutral administration is needed in this town. The people who supported this petition did so of their own free will. They strongly object to development taking any part of the gardens, also to the council for allowing this to happen.

Eileen Harvey,

Sandhurst Avenue,

St Annes.