HOW many more houses can Ramsbottom take? Each week in the local newspaper we are notified of yet more planning applications.

Those of us with long memories can remember when the "invasion" started with Peel Holdings and the Broadhey development. Until then, developments had been sympathetic to Ramsbottom. However, with Peel Holdings it all changed.

One of the reasons we objected to that proposal was that local roads, particularly Bolton Road West and Bolton Street, would not be able to handle the increased traffic. We were assured by town hall officials that the roads would cope. The result was that the town was and still is gridlocked for several hours a day. Someone was being "economical with the truth".

Peel Holdings opened the flood gates to such an extent that every spare piece of land has been, or is being, developed. The Flan has a huge development on a site originally designated for industrial use; tower blocks have been built on Square Street, and opposite the petrol station, which are completely out of character with the town. Applications are in for the Wire Works and Tag Wood areas which appear to resemble housing stock from the former East Germany. Future developments are envisaged for Kenyon Street and Cobden Mill on Square Street.

Now the final insult: Finnior Properties of Bury want to create six three-storey homes on the site of the former St Paul's School on Crow Lane. Why didn't the council purchase the building for community use? It could have been used for so many activities.

Our town is being destroyed by developers who are only interested in profit and not the housing needs of Ramsbottom. Young people are being forced out of the town because of the lack of affordable housing. We need a public inquiry before our community is ravaged beyond recognition.

BOB WALKER,

Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom.