REGARDING your article about the Halifax's branch relocation proposals for Blackburn town centre (LET, December 12), far from reducing our presence in Blackburn by closing the two existing branches, we consider that the proposal to move into the former Burton's unit at King William Street would significantly improve our representation in the town and enhance our service to existing and potential customers.

We understand and support the council's desire to maintain the vitality of the town centre and believe that our proposal will contribute to that aim.

We are, furthermore, aware that the recently-published Inspector's Report on the council's planning policy recommends a relaxation of the policy restricting non-retail uses "where the retail function will not be seriously undermined."

We strongly believe, therefore, that there should be no objection to our proposal on planning grounds, bearing in mind that the loss of retail frontage on King William Street would be extremely marginal and particularly when account is taken of our undertaking to return our existing branch premises to retail use.

We hope that our application for change of use will be judged on its own merits.

K C WEBB, Area Property manager (North), North Area Property Office, Halifax plc, Halifax, West Yorks.