AT the special area board meeting on March 6, I asked local councillors who were not on the planning committee, to openly back residents against the proposed Tesco development in Prestwich.

Councillor Derek Boden then launched into a diatribe about how councillors on the planning committee could not declare an interest for legal reasons, etc.

Should I want lessons on the intricacies and legalities of council procedure I would be more than happy to have Coun Boden as my mentor as he is, without doubt, very skilled in this area. However, on this occasion he either mis-heard, or chose to mis-hear, what I said.

One local councillor made his views known at the meeting in support of the residents. I see, therefore, no legal reason why other councillors not on the planning committee cannot follow suit and I would call upon them to do so and prevent the village from total destruction.

A lot of work has been done over the years to bring Prestwich to the forefront of the consciousness of Bury MBC and the plans for the development of the precinct, A56 and surrounding area are very positive.

The Tesco proposal is totally incongruous with such plans, whichever way one looks at it. It is time for those with a voice to speak out unequivocally against these proposals.

JONATHAN POSTON,

co-opted member

of area board.