I WAS astonished when I read (LET, August 23) about the privately-owned land in Hapton which had been temporarily leased by its owner to the Parish Council.

The money raised to cultivate half this land was raised by the Herculean efforts of the clerk to the parish council from local businesses and grants. Not one penny of it came from residents of Hapton.

The 'amenity' that the people who overlook the land were afraid of losing is one of a place to park untaxed cars and trailers and a dog-excreta 'heaven.'

The amenity that some older people in this village would have gained if planning permission for bungalows was granted would have been to live on one level instead of having to climb steep stairs.

They cannot believe that flowers and car parking come before their needs.

As for Councillor Carole Barber's remarks about Hapton being left as a 'concrete jungle' without this bit of land, they just show her abysmal lack of knowledge of the village.

Visit us Coun Barber! Look at the gardens around - all worked by the environmental committee of the parish council.

See our painted railway bridge, the painted bus shelters with flowers on top, the huge mural on Simpson Street and our Victorian lamp - then apologise.

PAT JONES (Mrs), Bridgefield Street, Hapton, Burnley.

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