Sir, - We note that Darlington Homes, a section of Darlington Building Society has submitted a planning application to Darlington Borough Council to develop the Chesterfield site on Stanhope Road.

The site is in the middle of Stanhope Road Conservation area, and Chesterfield is a fine building in sound order.

Through its design, scale, detailing and presence, it makes a significant contribution to the character of the area.

The proposals include the complete demolition of Chesterfield to make way for a new three-storey flat block.

Chesterfield itself could be converted into flats, or sold as offices. With imagination it is quite feasible to keep this building for future use.

The proposals also include for internally altering Chorley Cottage, situated on Langholm Crescent, to form four flats. This is another pleasant building with fine Arts and Crafts details, many of which would be lost in this conversion.

We find it extraordinary that Darlington Building Society is seriously contemplating these proposals. As a major company in the town it should respect the local environment, not destroy it in the search for higher profits.

We have expressed our opinions to the Darlington planning department and hope that any other readers of similar views will also write urging the council to reject the proposals.

NEIL M ANDERSON & JOHN R ELLIS

Anderson-Ellis Partnership,

Duke Street,

Darlington.

Debt of honour

Sir, - Most of today's pensioners are from a generation which did not benefit from company or private pension schemes and where they have the value is low.

Pensioners should receive a significant increase in their basic pension to be spent as they want with the dignity they deserve.

The democracy and freedom we take for granted was saved by the sacrifices of today's pensioners. They made those sacrifices not for future reward, but now is their hour of need and in my opinion we owe a debt of honour to that generation which has gone unpaid for too long.

Coun TONY RICHMOND

Conservative prospective

Parliamentary candidate for Darlington

Larchfield Street,

Darlington.

Farmers' duty

Sir, - At the Hillside Parish Council meeting last week the matter of hedge cutting, now taking place, came up for comment.

A letter was produced from Miss Dorothy Fairburn of the Country Landowners' Association pointing out that "farmers and contractors have an obligation to take reasonable steps to clean up the mess".

I hope you can bring this to the attention of a wider public through your letters page.

HARRY WOODHEAD

Clerk to Hillside Parish Council

Piperhill.

Felixkirk.

Thirsk.

It's a Loghtan

Sir, - I was delighted to see my breed of sheep mentioned in the Egglestone show report in the native breed entry (D&S, Sept 23).

However I would like the opportunity to correct the typographical error. The breed is Manx Loghtan, pronounced Lok-tan, a Manx Gaelic word describing the brown colour of the fleece, not the length of the horns. Further examples of the breed will be present at Masham Sheep Fair on Sunday.

Miss LOUISA GIDNEY

Dan's Castle,

Tow Law.