I WAS disappointed with what I witnessed at the planning meeting in Great Harwood, having hoped that, given the circumstances, some comment from the public would have been welcomed.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe announced that the controversial issue of whether council land in the town centre is sold to make way for a supermarket will be settled by a referendum (LET, October 7). Under normal circumstances a referendum should precede the planning decision. It remains unclear why this was not so.

The cart is being put before the horse. I believe that the timing of the referendum announcement was inappropriate. There had, for example, been no consultation with the 'Yes vote' and 'No vote' leaders prior to the announcement. More to the point, there are no appointed 'yes' or 'no' leaders. To ensure a level playing field, it is normal, before calling a referendum, to talk to those of both persuasions to establish a commonly-accepted and agreed timetable.

It is unclear how the yes and no vote information distribution will be funded to ensure that allthe people have all the available information on both aspects. Does the council intend to provide both sides with an equal sum of public money to fund the necessary information coverage? Will it ban money coming in from big business to support either side? I note also the timing of this referendum, including a public meeting, is scheduled during a period when I notified the council that I would be away in Saudi Arabia.

I find it odd that it should earlier dismiss the idea of a public meeting when I called for it, prior to the planning meeting, and then call for a public meeting and referendum after the planning meeting, when I am known to be away.

I would like it to be made known that I am willing to lead a 'No Vote Campaign' without rancour, largely based on the facts that I have already presented to the council. I am willing to meet the leader of the 'Yes' campaign and to agree a timetable, rules and conduct.

I believe that there should be a cooling off period until at least November 10 with an agreed campaigning period of one week, followed by a public meeting question and answer session, followed by the referendum itself on or before November 20.

PHILIP CONGDON, (former Referendum Party parliamentary candidate), Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.