Letter: Battle of the Mall

Letter:

Battle of the Mall

Sir: I am embarrassed to be associated with the cant of Trevor Roberts (letter, 4 September), being a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, over which he presides.

The planning permission for the soon-to-open centre at Trafford was not issued glibly nor without lengthy and rigorous consideration of the likely traffic and town-centre impact. Throughout the 13 years of planning this scheme, objectors, such as Mr Roberts, have had full opportunity to present all the evidence to support their case. This evidence was scrutinised by the best available independent planning inspectors and the decision was tested through legal challenge by the objectors right through to the House of Lords.

There is massive support and mounting excitement amongst those without vested interests in the North-west, about the opening of a world-leading urban regeneration project, which has cost the public purse nothing. People like their leisure and shopping. It does not come any better than this. Why should this job-creating redevelopment of derelict land still be questioned by objectors who have had more than enough opportunity to have their say?

TONY TAPLEY

Partner, Head of Planning

Rapleys, Commercial Property and Planning Consultants

London W1