The plans may not be promoted by High Peak Council, but they do write the local plan to which this development is responding. The council can also write a development brief which would lay out in quite some detail what a particular site should offer. It beggars belief that such an important location would not have a detailed brief in place.

The Council should not hide behind the spin that, even if they have not done their homework and put in place a sufficiently robust development brief, then this scheme is therefore inevitable and all we can expect is some minor adjustment to the design.

It is clear that Buxton would benefit from a successful redevelopment of the Station side of Spring Gardens. However, small local traders need to be supported and the bland and cheap design offered just isn't acceptable to many people.

The current scheme would not create 300 new jobs, and if the developer's glossy handouts are read carefully then they admit just that. They talk about a supermarket and hotel employing typically up to this number, but no-one can be foolish enough to believe that the management won't be brought in from elsewhere, and we also now learn (Buxton Pure magazine winter '07) that the new Sainsbury local is under threat of closure if the proposed larger site steals sales. The total number of so called "new" jobs is just more spin. This scheme would very rapidly become an economic drain on Buxton.

I believe most people would welcome a scheme on this site which really benefited Buxton. The location deserves a stunning design, housing a real asset. Not just another supermarket which will damage other parts of our town.

Cllr Kemp writes that change is inevitable; he is right, the test is whether that change is part of a positive vision for our town or just whatever some outside developer thinks will make them money.

We need champions for Buxton in our Town Hall. Local residents are saying they don't want this current proposal; will Councillors back people power or developer power?

Mrs Kate Copeland

Hardwick Mount

Buxton