The Threadneedle representative made it quite clear that his responsibility is to their policy and shareholders – most of whom will not be Buxton residents who will have to live with the consequences of their dividend-providing development.

He also pointed out that they own around another 50 shopping centres in the country – something which did little to reassure us of their ability to play a meaningful part in helping small towns to retain their individuality.

Sainsbury's representative was not a specialist development person, but a PR and marketing man who tried to convince us that we do need yet another supermarket (right next to Waitrose), that our independent shops would not suffer as a consequence of their having two stores in the town and that there would be little impact from the additional traffic that the store would generate.

The representative from the developers also tried to reassure us that the 'any town' square blocks of buildings included in their computer-aided graphics were actually bold, yet sensitive buildings which would complement our Georgian and Victorian heritage. I have never heard such disingenuousness.

We have already lived for a considerable time with the impact of the appalling quality of the external features of the Spring Gardens Centre.

With this proposed development, it would therefore be a tragedy for the town if we again missed the opportunity to ensure that what we get really is a high quality, sensitive, yet imaginative scheme which continues the Council-led 'shop smart, shop local' scheme. Unfortunately the omens are not good. The developers admit that there have been no impact studies regarding net job gains or losses, loss of independent shops and accommodation-providers or traffic generation and management, or parking.

Despite this, they say that they are looking to apply for planning permission perhaps as early as November – making the idea of 'consultation' feel much more like an imposition of what the developers think is appropriate and will make them the most money from the least investment.

Sadly, we have also seen the impact of poor Council decisions and schemes on the town, most notably on the Market Place, in the years it is taking to develop the Crescent and a narrow escape from the officer-recommended development on the old Sylk Garage site.

If we want this proposed development to complement the quality of the beautiful architecture that we already have in Buxton, and truly to improve this area of the town, then it is only by all of us actively working with our councillors, and ensuring that there is proper and full consultation and engagement, that we can avoid what seems to be a headlong rush into mediocrity, driven by people who have no sense of Buxton's specialness.

Rachel Purchase

Hall Bank

Buxton