THE proposed expansion by Wolstenholme International on its green belt land at Eccleshill in Darwen (LET, July 9) raises some important issues.

Blackburn with Darwen Council officers are recommending refusal, on the grounds that the proposed development will encroach on to green belt land and also on to a biological heritage site.

Councillors, however, are concerned that refusal will prevent new jobs from being created.

Of course, the creation of jobs is of the utmost importance. However, the fact that the area is a biological heritage site brings it under the Rio Biodiversity Action Plan, which was set up in 1992 following the Bio Earth Summit to protect the world's wildlife sites and which Britain is signed up to.

The fact is, if we continue to destroy the worlds' biodiversity, the planet will be up the creek without a paddle -- regardless of whether everyone has a job or not.

A CULVERHOUSE, Cavendish Street, Darwen.