AS recent events surrounding the Elms development in Whitefield are reaching a climax, I took the opportunity to view what can only be described as a vague set of plans.

The only definite proposal was for a leisure and fitness centre with two retail units in the existing Brand Centre car park and bus station. No proposals of what these retail outlets would sell: it could be skate boards or wet suits for all we know.

Let's face it, this whole debacle comes down to money. If the council are allowed to give Mr Gubay the entire area of Whitefield town centre it means less money for the council to have to spend or invest. So it becomes more and more apparent to me that Mr Gubay will have his way.

Why can't the council slap a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) on the existing site, pay off Gubay and invite tenders for what is a prime site. A small shopping mall of single-storey units would be a beautiful replacement and would be well used locally. The only reason people shop outside Whitefield now is because there is nothing locally. On the other hand, the council has had quite a handsome repayment from the BCCI fiasco so it could invest a portion of that money in a mini-mall: after all it is council tax money.

Mr Gubay may have shown our local councillors and MP the utmost courtesy when they visited him on the Isle of Man but this does not give them the right to hand him Whitefield town centre on a plate. Mr Gubay does not have the welfare or interests of Whitefield residences high on his list of priorities.

If Councillor Boden (May 26) is sincere about the welfare of the Elms being of concern to the council, why did he make comparisons between my recent letter and the one from Elms Action Group secretary Ms Sinead Gracey.

Anyone could see that both letters were written to highlight the counci'ls shortcomings in dealing with the Elms problem.

Just over two years ago the council tried to lift a covenant protecting Whitefield Park. One has to ask: was this land earmarked for Mr Gubay? This was opposed by residents.

More recently Prestwich Residents were up in arms when it was leaked that the Longfield Centre may be demolished, and again this council had to give way to people power.

Councillor Boden completely misses the point that Ms Gracey's letter is campaigning on behalf of Whitefield and its residents, just as I am. And it is my belief that this council has already reached agreement with Mr Gubay.

Councillor Boden must be careful not to be too patronising in his remarks. After all, the residents of Pilkington Park ward, where Whitefield Park is the focal point, had their "pay-back" at the recent local elections. How many more seats are Labour prepared to lose? More importantly, how far off is a general election?

BRIAN ATTREE,

Stanley Road, Whitefield.