PLANNING

DARLINGTON Borough Council conservation officer Martyn Kendall has implied that I have broken the law when he said "we could prosecute him" in his letter (HAS, Aug 31). This is a serious allegation.

We applied for the partial demolition of 18/19 Bondgate in the town, and this was passed on February 22. We then commenced our building work and found that walls that were to be retained were unsafe.

Following discussions with the planning department we applied for planning and conservation permission for the total demolition: this was passed on August 6.

While waiting for planning permission, the builder became concerned about the public safety of a rear wall and, following further discussions with the planning department, we were given permission to remove it

Would the conservation officer please explain personally to me where in these procedures we have broken planning law in order that I may take professional advice on this allegation? - Peter Robinson, Thomas Watson Auctioneers, Darlington.

ELECTED MAYOR THE "Yes" vote campaign for an elected mayor in Darlington has one big weakness. There is no obvious independent candidate who would gain the popular support of the voters.

We have no Ray Mallon and I do not think they will vote for a "monkey". I suspect people will vote for the candidate nominated by the party they support.

The result could be to vest power in the hands of the present leader of the Labour group on Darlington Borough Council, Councillor John Williams - the exact opposite of the outcome they desire. So until they produce a viable candidate, mine is a no vote. - Brian Fiske, Darlington.

TEE MUCH GOLF

I WONDER where our food will come from in the future. I see another golf course is being built on good farmland near Darlington, hundreds of acres being dug up to make a giant lawn for a few people to play on.

The way this country is going, we will have to rely on aid from overseas for our food.

I was thinking, if they built one after Stressholme down to Hurworth Place, the golfers could play straight through to Hurworth. - R West, Darlington.