Mary Barnard's "Quite happy with the Eco park" is totally misinformed. I have supported the redevelopment of both the Bufton sites throughout, and the continued use of the St Stephens Close land for commercial use.

The only criticisms I voiced were the need to secure parking for the residents of Gravel Hill whose homes back onto the proposed old peoples' flats, and that the architectural style and materials, of the addition to the old revenue office, are not attractive enough for a prominent position in the town.

Mr Davies' "Pay later" has also failed to find out the facts before writing. The Liberal Democrats are advocating a local income tax, related to peoples' ability to pay. For most Council Tax payers, particularly the less well off, this would result in smaller bills. Income tax is a cheaper tax to raise than Council Tax, so he is scaremongering about that too!

Finally, he blames the Liberal Democrats for Council Tax rises. Obviously he has not read the independent Audit Commission's recent report. They categorically said that rises in Council Tax above 10% across the whole country last year were the result of additional tasks given to local government, and were caused by central government decisions. These rises occurred whatever party happened to be in power locally, across councils of every type.

As it happens the South Shropshire District Council rises were lower than average. South Shropshire had a coalition government of half Independents, half Liberal Democrats when the 2003/4 Council Tax was set.

Susan McCormack.

57 Gravel Hill,

Ludlow