CHRIS Danks in his letter of July 20 criticises Stourport Civic Society for not opposing the development of the former Larch Lap site.

Stourport's greatest need at the moment is economic regeneration and schemes such as the Lichfield Basin site will contribute to that.

We supported the proposals because it was refreshing to be presented with a carefully planned development designed for a specific site, not the usual bog-standard housing designs used by national builders in other parts of the town.

Lichfield Basin will enhance the townscape of Stourport in the same way the the Brindley Place Development has enhanced a run-down part of Birmingham.

At the same time having more people living in the area will help to reduce night-time vandalism.

As for the other points made in Mr Danks's letter, I would agree that, in the past, Stourport has been ignored by local politicians but this is no longer the case.

Wyre Forest District Council working with organisations such as British Waterways, English Heritage and Advantage West Midlands has brought a considerable amount of "new money" into the town for regeneration.

Stourport has much to be proud of in her canal heritage but we must look to the future both preserving the best of the old and encouraging good modern design for new buildings. I have no doubt that current developments taking place in Stourport will give us all a town of which we can be proud.

PAULINE ANNIS

Chair

Stourport-on-Severn Civic Society