RE your page report (Citizen, July 26) on the Ashton Gardens Pavilion/flats project and the St Annes Civic Society's objections thereto -- congratulations, both.

The very idea of this project is amazing having regard to the clear demonstration in recent years of public attachment to keeping Ashton Gardens intact.

This latest project, which has all the appearance of a "done deal", has come out of the blue -- but why are we not given more facts, e.g. why only one builder (which seems now to be almost a council department) and what are the complete financial arrangements between council and builder?

Some two or three weeks ago I picked up, free at the Town Hall, a new F.B.C. brochure -- "Performance Plan 2001 -- Working Together for Excellence" It is a very high quality effort with top grade cover and paper -- a credit to whoever produced it, except for the actual contents. Sadly, these are just as glossy as the booklet itself, with lovely vague phrases about "bringing government closer to the people", "extending consultation with all community groups and residents", "significant effort is being made to make it easier to consult with local people and involve them more in local issues".

These well-meant, but meaningless, phrases just do not stand up against the paucity of fact and consultation re the Ashton Gardens Pavilion project.

R Byrom,

St Annes Road West, Lytham St Annes.