Regarding Gunnels, the decision by our so-called planning department to demolish it is typical of the sheer ineptitude being produced by the Borough Council on a regular basis. I would particularly like them to answer why they ignored the excellent advice

Regarding Gunnels, the decision by our so-called planning department to demolish it is typical of the sheer ineptitude being produced by the Borough Council on a regular basis.

I would particularly like them to answer why they ignored the excellent advice of BEAMS, the experts on local heritage and an authority on these matters, and also why they rejected the application at its first attempt, but then, curiously, passed it at the second attempt without actually rectifying the existing problems with the first application! The fact that there is a slightly lower density in the second application in no way changes the footprint of the development, nor the impact it will have. Such behaviour looks to me to be utterly incompetent at best.

I am sure that the owner of Gunnels has no interest in the history or heritage of the place this beautiful house has in our town. But why are the council so happy to help him line his pockets and disappear into the sunset? It does nothing but leave only another appalling loss for the rest of the community to suffer.

It really is about time they listened to the local people, started making decisions based on common sense, and stopped making stupid, selfish, and above all, irreplaceable moves which will scar the town for all time.

ROB PHILLIPS, Torquay Crescent, Stevenage

* Re Gunnels, I was at Monday's meeting, regarding knocking down Gunnels to build six two-bedroom and two three-bedroom dwellings.

I would like to thank the three councillors who voted against it and also The Comet for covering the story over the months. I thought that councillors were voted in to speak on our behalf, but I guess that I was wrong. Then I read on page 39 of The Comet that SBC have a full page asking us to have our say in planning of the future of Stevenage. Well, 1,200 people tried having their say about Gunnels, were they listening, I think not.

B SUTHERILL, Fairview Road, Stevenage

* Comment on planning approval. I am appalled that due to the lack of foresight of the planning department in developing a proper conservation policy for the whole of the old town and in fact for Stevenage, a beautiful building is going to be destroyed.

SBC should be pilloried for this.

NAME AND ADDRESS WTHHELD

* What type of democracy do we live in?

Our local councillors, voted in by us are supposed to be there to represent our views.

We are asked to give our views on local planning issues, but what happens?

A total of 1,200 people, mostly in the Old Town, signed a petition against the demolition of Gunnels (The most that the Planners have received). Did they listen? No. In all 165 residents wrote complaining about the demolition of Gunnels. Did they listen? No. SBC asked their agency (BEAMS) to report on the proposal for Gunnels. Did they take any notice? No.

What do these councillors do for us?

The planning department of Stevenage Borough Council presented a case for the demolition of Gunnels. It is supposed to be impartial. Why do they not listen to the people of Stevenage?

The Local Review shows Stevenage to be one of the worst towns in Hertfordshire on many fronts. It is no wonder when such decisions are made.

Stevenage Borough Council and Stevenage councillors need to represent our views.

CHARLES HAWKINS

* We would like to express our disgust at the outcome of the planning meeting in which a local builder was given permission to demolish a significant major landmark.

This clearly is an opening of the door to allow anyone not only in Fairview Road but elsewhere in Stevenage, to do anything they wish to profit from their property. One can only hope that others have more respect for their neighbourhoods and their history rather than mere profit - but we suspect many more will now be applying to convert their properties into multi-dwelling sites.

A very sad day for Stevenage

BARRY and MARIA DONOVAN, Fairview Road, Stevenage

* When will our councillors realise that we voted for them to represent us and if they feel something is unjust they must stand up and fight?

They were the only people who could have turned down either of those schemes but they chickened out.

SUE VINCENT, Fairview Road, Stevenage