FOLLOWING your article on residents protesting about the application for planning permission at Watery Lane (January 31).

I would hardly call residents voicing concerns and seeking reassurance a protest. Maybe if the details about the application relayed in your article from the committee of Lodgeside Community Association had been relayed to the community either prior to or when the application was made, residents concerned would have been reassured and their questions answered.

Every resident has the right to air their views and as a community association, Lodgeside should realise this.

According to your article, the group are quoted as stating that 900 newsletters were sent out informing residents of their plans. This was over 12 months ago.

Since then my household has never received any information about the proposed application or anything else and I only live a street away from committee members.

I actually think the play area project is a good idea and probably other residents do too, but how could they lend support if they weren't aware of the application?

You must admire the determination of this group in pursuing their aims but either through naivety or cheer bloody-mindedness, they have disregarded the community they claim to represent.

Community support is vital to the success of voluntary groups and can sometimes be very fickle.

T REYNOLDS (Miss), Maria Street, Darwen.