COUNCILLOR John Byrne's response (Letters, December 29) to Mr P. Morland's comments on the proposed Westfield development of the town centre gives the first clear indication that our council leader is in favour of the proposals.

He compares the proposed moving of the outside market to the modernisation that was done previously, but in undergoing that modernisation the market stayed where it was. This time it would be moved from a prime site because Westfield say so: and it is non-negotiable. This time the dismal warnings that he refers to could become reality.

We have already been told that the moving of the market and interchange are not negotiable and that, in effect, we can either take it or leave it. I wonder if any part of these proposals is open to discussion.

In particular I am concerned about the plan to provide a multi-storey car park, to replace the Spring Street car park adjacent to Holy Trinity and St Marie's primary schools. As an LEA governor of Holy Trinity I am worried that the proposal will have a detrimental effect on the health of the staff and pupils at both primary schools.

I estimate that construction will take in the region of 12 months during which time staff and children, some of whom are only three years old, will be subjected to excessive pollution, be distracted from their studies by the noise and the HGVs accessing the site will be a safety hazard, as most of the pupils of Holy Trinity live locally and walk to school.

Pupils at St Marie's will be similarly affected, as only the width of Cecil Street will separate them from the building. But the pupils of Holy Trinity will only be yards from the site as it will be adjacent to the school yard, the only place they have for recreation.

Furthermore, when the car park is up and running, pollution levels due to exhaust fumes from cars using the facility, could reach unacceptable European standards. And if that did prove to be the case, somebody would have a lot of "egg on their face".

Why have the director of planning and the council Executive gone so far down the line with these Westfield proposals without considering the health and safety of the children and staff? Will the multi-storey be the first application to go before the planning committee and what will happen if objections are raised by the governors of the primary schools on the grounds of health and safety?

I think that now is the time for answers, before we reach the point of no return.

A. WITHINGTON