While I know that Mrs Scott is (as always) well informed about the facts, her letter permits me to address a misconception held by others – that the current proposals for Spring Gardens are being promoted by High Peak Borough Council.

The point is that the Council is unable to dictate what a landowner must put in a development, and only in certain situations are we able to say what they cannot put in.

The Spring Gardens site, including the car parks, is owned by a private company. Officers have made suggestions as to the type of development the local community has asked for, but have been told that certain retailers are simply not interested in what is on offer at present.

As it is in a town centre location, the Council absolutely cannot veto a supermarket proposal.

Any formal planning application will be judged strictly on merit and adherence to established planning policy.

The developers understand quite clearly that "concrete blocks" will not be acceptable in design terms and the town will look for quality in the final submission.

At a presentation to one local group, a prominent local man with a professional interest in planning said he would look for something "astonishing" – well, perhaps, not too astonishing, but certainly imaginative and reflective of the design quality of our existing heritage (and in sympathetic materials).

As one who has chosen to settle in Buxton because of what the town is in terms of history and environment, I share Mrs Scott's concerns about the nature of change. A degree of change is, however, inevitable and I am in agreement with the developers that trade is leaking out of Buxton because we do not use our local shops enough. A significant retail development might encourage investment from some of the general traders that have ignored us thus far, so I am prepared to keep an open mind and look at the quality of the final plans that are submitted.

Cllr Tony Kemp

HPBC Executive Member for Regeneration