FOR the eight unsubstantiated pros for saying 'yes' to the proposed Safeway supermarket in Great Harwood presented by County Councillor George Slynn (Letters, July 12), there are counter-arguments which neither he nor the council executive attempt to answer.

For the 180 jobs that he says will be created, perhaps a similar number will be lost from closed shops. Further, the projected increase in traffic is ignored and much else besides. If somebody rang me and asked if I would like to see a new supermarket in Great Harwood, my answer would be 'yes.' But that is not the point - the point is, where it is to be located and what will it do to our town?

Do we want a supermarket plonked on us, or do we want a new supermarket as part of a real town centre urban regeneration plan? The council is trying to fob us off with a badly thought-out, cheapskate version of the former.

There are other, better locations that do not involve destroying a newly-roofed and double-glazed nursery, an adequate library and industrial units and which could be part of a whole town centre redevelopment with 'real' urban regeneration.

Some councillors have been easily swayed by executive double-talk, instead of asking the right questions. Hyndburn Council is unfit to make a decision on the Safeway application until they present a wholly-balanced and objective assessment of the pros and cons associated with this and spell out publicly what the real urban regeneration plan is for Great Harwood.

PHILIP CONGDON, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

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