THERE is a planning application pending for 105 houses of various types in Kidderminster Road, Droit-wich, next to DFS.

I think this should not be considered until Wychavon District Council's retail study has been completed, there has been a full debate on its recommendations, and the views of Droitwich people have been aired.

Only when a proper decision on the location of a store capable of addressing the serious leakage of retail to other local centres is taken, can this site be allocated for any use.

If it was lost to housing now, Droitwich could have forfeited the only site capable of accommodating the calibre of store and petrol filling station it requires. This would be sheer folly.

In 1994, the appeal inspector said Droitwich should have a large store by the Year 2000 to stop the leakage to other centres. The leakage then was 28 per cent, it is now 75 per cent at least.

There is a desperate need for a modern superstore.

It is also clear that an edge of town store would not harm the town centre and would, in fact, bolster it.

This is borne out by the pedestrian figures produced by the council which shows Evesham up 1,703 since 1995, despite the opening of two out of town stores.

Droitwich parking figures have dropped from a peak of nearly 900,000 in 1993 to a low of 700,000 to date.

I cannot stress enough the importance of this issue on the well-being of Droitwich. It should also be noted this Kidderminster Road site could accommodate a McDonald's.

W T Moy,

Leycroft,

Meadow Park,

Droitwich Spa.