I understand that Stevenage Borough Council could receive £3,500,000 from the Government to purchase the ManuLife site, which is a dangerous eyesore with Office Permission. It must surely have taken much effort and determination to secure such a sum in to

I understand that Stevenage Borough Council could receive £3,500,000 from the Government to purchase the ManuLife site, which is a dangerous eyesore with Office Permission. It must surely have taken much effort and determination to secure such a sum in today's financial climate.

This letter is penned to give support to a refusal and to encourage like-minded individuals to consider doing so. It would be a nonsense if officers recommended and the councillors agreed to grant a change of use. Since, ultimately, would this not greatly enhance the financial value of the site, raise the purchase price? This is possibly the only intention.

Would the council wish to grant an application that would allow such a level of activity, 24 hours a days, 365 days a year? The peace one expects to find within and around a church would no longer exist. The foundation stone for St George's was laid in 1956, designed by a leading church architect of the time, an item of beauty, doomed to be overshadowed by concrete.

The ManuLife offices were built years later, when Stevenage badly needed more office employment for its young. It was not the L-shaped block shown within the 1966 town centre plan, especially designed to have the least impact upon the church.

People and trade will suffer because of parking problems, so much for the forthcoming planned regeneration! Residents within the area already encounter parking problems outside their homes.

St George's Way with its double yellow lines is already an accident waiting to happen. Drivers ignore the 30mph speed limit, coaches park outside the swimming pool which causes drivers to swerve into the path of others. That is before Bowes Lyon, Cutty's Lane, the Fire Station and congestion on the roundabout.

It pains me to think where will the SBC's refuse collectors park and how many black bags will line the pavement?

L PUSKAS, High Plash, Cutty's Lane, Stevenage