MR Graham Carter of Darwen Green Party, thinks that the Labour group on the council has some kind of vendetta against Lower Darwen (LET, July 14).

This is simply not the case. He cites the case of the recent approval of a takeaway in Lower Darwen as an example of this supposed vendetta.

The planning committee cannot just approve or reject planning applications willy nilly.

Councillors have to follow national planning procedures and policies agreed in the local plan. In this case, the plan for the takeaway fully complied with those policies and procedures.

If people in Lower Darwen don't want these takeaways then they do not have to use them!

In regard to the former paper mill site, the Planning Committee had no choice but to refer the application to John Prescott's office in London due to national planning rules.

Mr Carter is also aware that people in Lower Darwen had diverse views about this application. It is grossly unfair to criticise the former Labour councillors for Lower Darwen for allegedly "doing nothing" to retain the former post office.

Both Coun Mary Leaver and, despite being seriously ill, Coun Mike Barrett wrote to the post office to object to the closure before their sad deaths.

COUN DAVE SMITH, Chairman, Planning and Highways Committee, (Blackburn with Darwen BC).