I WRITE in response to Dr Bullion's letter of November 6 (Sale of the Stag would leave a gaping hole at the heart of Sevenoaks).

Here are some facts about the inadequacies of the council's public gallery space and some other matters.

The Argyle Road offices were built in 1980. The expansion was planned to meet the needs of the time. Wouldn't we all benefit from hindsight?

In 1995 the Conservative group proposed a multi-storey car park in Suffolk Way, but when the Lib/Lab group was voted in, the project was cancelled because the Lib/Labs decided it was not needed. No use now bleating over the parking problems in the town.

Also, in 1995, the Lib Dem local plan designated the farmers' market and surrounding areas for commercial/ residential development.

When the Farmers pub lease was not reviewed, the Conservatives, in the planning application, voted against losing the pub. However, permission was granted on appeal and the planning inspector cited the LibDem local plan, which did not exclude the pub as a site for redevelopment.

The planning application for the BT site was also submitted during the LibDem's watch. The Conservatives wanted to oppose it, but were warned by the then council chief executive that they would leave themselves open to individual liability of a surcharge for opposing an application for a site already designated for development in the local plan. Many councillors left the chamber rather than take this risk.

The Railway and Bicycle application for redevelopment was also lost on appeal. Dr Bullion can hardly blame the district council for the dereliction of this site.

Does he expect tax payers' money to be spent to spruce up every private site awaiting redevelopment?

And, finally, the undersized swimming pool. Once again, this was a grandiose project, rushed through in the dying days of the Lib/Lab administration, which had achieved very little in the previous four years. The incoming Conservatives inherited this redevelopment plan costing just under £6m, which did not include any enlargement, but only the refurbishment of the pool.

If I were marking Dr Bullion's homework, it would read "could do better".

Joyce Course

Orchard Way

Kemsing

Cost-effective skatepark is tri-parish success story

IT IS an inspiring sight to watch local teenagers attempting the volcano at Whitegate Skatepark on a Saturday afternoon.

This facility gives the youth of Borough Green, Platt and Wrotham countless hours of fun and many hard knocks.

I have read the regular safety inspection reports and it is repeatedly mentioned that this facility is very heavily used compared to comparable parks elsewhere.

When our teenagers are testing their mettle against the volcano they are actively developing their skills as opposed to "hanging out" outside the village hall.

Whitegate Skate Park is a significant local success because it has been well designed and implemented and continues to evolve due to the constant interactive debate between users and the management team.

The skatepark was built for a fraction of the cost of comparable parks and its true cost of maintenance is similarly cost effective. I think we should celebrate our local tri-parish success story.

I would like to commend Steve Perry for his project management skills, David Beach for bringing his civil engineering skills to this ongoing management role and particularly Mike Taylor. It was Mike's initial concept, he has virtually built it single handed and continues to maintain it to a high standard.

If you would like more information about Whitegate Skatepark visit www.diy-skatepark.com

Cllr Pete Gillin, vice chairman Wrotham Parish Council

Pilgrims Close

Wrotham

I MUST take issue with your reporting of the BGPC discussion about the Whitegate Field Skatepark (£8,000 annual running cost of skatepark is questioned, November 6).

It is a matter of public record that the annual maintenance costs of this park do not exceed £5,000 pa; £8,800 is the budget figure agreed annually by all three parish councils.

The £5,000 includes insurance, inspection and maintenance and development, even grass-cutting.

We are unusual in not following the usual "fit and forget" regime that is so apparent at other skateparks: the park is not only maintained "by the book", but within those costs we consult with skaters and so the park continuously evolves, maintaining its interest for users.

It is easy to demonize the constant litter, but litter is now endemic in our slovenly society. Because of the involvement of young people, vandalism has been almost totally non-existent.

It is worth reminding the public that because Whitegate Field was a genuine community youth project, with an immense amount of voluntary contribution by local businesses and young people, our build cost was only £40k.

This means we can afford to maintain the park at £5,000 pa for 20 years and still not reach the build cost of other similar sized skateparks.

Mike Taylor

Maidstone Road

Borough Green

PLATT Parish Council is delighted to be associated with this worthwhile project.

Rob Jones, vice chair, Platt Parish Council

Comp Lane

Platt

Unsightly sites

READING the headline and article in the Chronicle (Urgent calls made to clean up our town, November 6) regarding the Farmers and Railway and Bicycle fiascos, prompts me to write about my thoughts on the subject of derelict sites – particularly those adjacent to the "gateway to Sevenoaks".

As it now appears unlikely that anything of a building nature will be forthcoming in the near future, cannot the council take over the land compulsorily and develop it themselves into attractive garden areas, grassed and incorporating well designed covered seating with possibly rockeries, flowerbeds and a small fountain?

When complete, could it not then be professionally maintained by a local garden centre? The total cost involved would be low in comparison to the benefits obtained by the removal of these two eyesores which greet visitors to the town.

I realise three years' grace is allowed from receipt of planning permission to the commencement of building, but surely in the case of the Railway and Bicycle site, with the developers in administration, this rule could be void?

I would totally agree with Cllr Ann Dawson when she says "enough is enough".

JMD McCullen

The Pound

Knockholt

Classic cinema

I ALWAYS read Christine Mackinnon's column and we seem to think alike.

Having spent half my life in the projection rooms of local cinemas, and being a cinema buff, I feel she has hit the nail on the head with last week's column (The "pokey" cinema – is there any other kind?).

She is correct in saying almost all cinemas are small nowadays, with the exception of a few large auditoria in some multiplexes. Even the West End has lost almost all of the 1,500 to 2,000 seaters that once were commonplace.

The audiences of the past are no longer, mainly because DVDs appear within months of a cinema release.

When we ask what other type of cinema there is, we need not look far.

In Oxted, just 25 minutes' drive for most, there is a little gem of a proper cinema.

It was called the Plaza, had one name change to the Screen, and is still a full-time cinema that would have been swept away long ago if a multiplex had been close by.

It has 420 seats, a large screen with curtains and masking to make the screen the correct size for all ratios, ie no fuzzy edges. These things are also missing nowadays to save cost of maintenance in multiplexes.

This cinema has the latest digital and 35mm projection, and has two things that are unique. It still boasts a circle (a thing of the past) and, yes, it still sells ice cream from a tray. And at night you can park in the roads around the cinema free of charge. Why not give it a try?

Alan Scott

Main Road

Sundridge

Unsporting sport

LIVING in a very isolated spot, every year we have to listen to, and witness, hundreds of pheasants, mallards and anything else that might be in target range, being shot at and not always killed. Some are left badly injured.

It is appalling that these big, hard men, armed with very powerful guns, have to kill or maim these poor creatures for fun.

I cannot bear to see any creature hurt in any way, and feed various kinds of wildlife that visit our garden. I have male and female pheasants which run up to me and follow me around for a handful of corn. They are really beautiful creatures who are abused from birth to death.

We have lots of mallards, who visit regularly, but gradually over time, they have been shot. This year we only had five arrive back.

The fox hunt still goes on, even though it is banned, and to hear the screaming of a fox being pulled apart by a pack of hounds is truly dreadful.

I am 71 years old and my life has been made richer by all the wildlife we have helped.

When these men load up their rifles, I wonder what goes through their heads when they stand together and blast these helpless creatures.

How do they sleep at night knowing how many they have killed or maimed in the name of sport.

This isn't sport; it is murder. It should be stopped.

Please help to ban the dreadful way these creatures are reared in captivity and the cruelty that is bestowed on them until they die.

Peggy and Pat Bryan

Crouch

Vehicle menace

AKEHURST Lane is a paved pedestrian walkway off the High Street in Sevenoaks where the local police station is sited.

It is now used as nothing other than a short cut to Waitrose for local cars.

May I suggest it be reverted to its original purpose and vehicles, other than emergency services, are prohibited?

This will perhaps salvage the already damaged pathway, reduce traffic hold up on the High Street and avoid the constant menace to pedestrians.

Tessa Worthington

Bourchier Close

Sevenoaks

Theatrical risks

THE SEVENOAKS Chronicle clearly supports the town council's proposal to take over and manage the Stag and there has been concerted correspondence in support, from the interested theatrical groups.

I and many others want to see the Stag saved, but not at any price.

Sevenoaks Town Council only represents approximately 25 per cent of the residents of Sevenoaks district and approximately 50 per cent of the local district, excluding Edenbridge and the northern wards, thus its ever increasing costs fall upon a minority.

I am not sure if the town council has drawn up a viable business plan that would bare close examination, but I have not seen this featured in newspaper reports. In view of the fact previous experienced operators have run up considerable losses, what guarantee do town council tax payers have that it won't happen again?

In the event that losses are incurred, will the town councillors and the theatre groups meet the shortfall personally, or will the losses fall on the 25 per cent of district residents who provide the town council income?

If residents are expected to underwrite this venture, to be undertaken by a body with very little experience of operating a theatre, at the very least, the prior agreement of we the Sevenoaks town tax payers should be sought.

John Walker

Oakwood Drive, Sevenoaks