THIS letter is directed specifically at the chief executive of Bury MBC, to East Ward councillors Byrne, Connolly and Holt, and the steering group involved in the East Ward Regeneration Scheme.

It should be no surprise to any of them that I am aggrieved by the way this scheme has been handled.

In the beginning, at a meeting in the former Geoffrey Kershaw Centre, it was said that certain streets would be demolished and rebuilt.

The street in which I then lived, Larch Street, was not on that list and assurance was given that it was not to be included. Within days an item in the Bury Times revealed that Larch Street, and part of Wash Lane, had been added. I was told that these streets had been added by the steering group, though this was strenuously denied by members of that group at a later meeting. A member of housing services claimed the inclusions were as a result of a "consensus" of opinion.

Once streets were emptied, demolition work commenced, apparently financed by Irwell Valley Housing Association.

At a recent meeting it was said that, if the housing association was not successful in its bid, we the taxpayers would recompense them for the cost of demolition.

This gives Irwell Valley Housing Association a loaded pistol to point at our heads. They are now firmly in the driving seat in this situation, can make any offer they wish, even only £1 more than the cost of demolition, knowing that to refuse the offer would open up a long round of negotiations with other potential buyers, who would by then know the level of the previous offer.

It might be of interest, with regard to the demolition costs, to be advised how much was realised by any sale of reclaimed facing quality bricks. I am told that they were seen being cleaned off and taken away on pallets.

The result of this scheme is that my family has been "decanted," a buzz word extensively used by councillors, from a home that we have occupied for 40 years. One son has moved out some distance, to a house with very few facilities and without any "Home Loss Payment," and another son, 6ft 3 ins tall, sleeps in a room 8ft x 8ft.

R. MILES,

Teak Street, Bury.