"BIG deal" was Herefordshire councillor Barry Ashton's response to the 10 per cent plus turnout for Ledbury's parish poll on the development of Leadon Bank retirement home site.

Was it worth the £3,000 it cost the town council to stage the poll to protest about a plan for which Herefordshire Council had already given its approval?

"An exercise in futility," according to Coun Ashton, and we don't suppose anyone who took part in last Thursday's poll thinks it will make any difference to the council's decision.

But despite that, 800 people still took the trouble to vote, 90 per cent rejecting the development plan for Leadon Bank, and we think that is a "big deal".

We doubt 800 people would have voted had this only been about Leadon Bank, but it is also about the Tourist Information Centre, the library and a growing number of infill developments that have taken place, when the views of Ledbury people have been ignored or not even considered by a Herefordshire Council that seems to be out of touch with the town.

An exercise in futility? It shouldn't be because it ought to be a wake up call to Herefordshire Council that says people in Ledbury feel disenfranchised.

A NEW development we hope will be a big deal will be the opening of the new Priors Croft bar, opposite Malvern Theatres, which throws open its doors for open days on Sunday and Monday.

It is in the perfect position to link up with the theatre and bring a real sense of nightlife to the centre of Malvern.

We hope it will prove a venue worthy of the building and its location.