REGARDING the concerns about shops being built on the Oakalls estate,I have lived on this estate for approaching four years and I can confirm that when we bought our home we were promised five shops when the estate was 90 per cent completed.

We were told we would be canvassed as to what shops we, as residents, would actually like. This was an acceptable situation as the estate at that time was still in its infancy with very few roads, no footpaths or street lighting so I looked forward to the day when these amenities arrived. After all Rome was never built in one day. It seems that the developers are now going back on their word and trying to get even more money for themselves and depriving this community of much needed amenities. I know of several elderly and infirm people who would benefit greatly from these shops and also many others who do not have access to a car to travel to Bromsgrove. As for a bus route, that is another story!

Surely, when Miss Goodall bought her home she was aware of the knowledge that there would be shops and if this caused concerns for her then she should not have moved here. As her home backs on to the area where shops would be, if this caused her concerns she could have bought another property on another part of the estate away from the shops?

The possible planning permission submitted will only make matters worse. 'Affordable housing' will not only make the estate like a concrete jungle with NO shops but also devalue the estate as a whole and thus reduce the actual value of our homes. Those homes nearer to these affordable housings maybe the first to suffer due to possible anti social behaviour problems. There are at present many petitions circulating the estate to stop the planning permission being granted and the houses getting built.

Maybe Miss Goodall would like to take the time to attend this location on Saturday, June 5 at 9.30am to discuss this matter with Julie Kirkbride MP and Cllr Caroline Spencer as well as many more on the estate who are opposed to the housings. Perhaps if we can get the planning permission squashed for the homes then we can move on to phase two - to determine what type of shops (Non-alcohol selling and non-fast food) should be built or alternatively suggesting plans to have the entire area landscaped and give the children of the estate somewhere to play.

On a final note, additional houses whether affordable or not will only compound the access to the estate from Slideslow roundabout. The Oakalls is overrun with cars as it is - another 60 are not needed.

Martin Butler

Royal Worcester Crescent

Bromsgrove