Sir – Regarding the Broadwater Road site. Previous correspondence on the subject has, maybe, been too polite and perhaps reflects on the reputation that Tesco s directors have in responding to criticism. The leaflet circulated headed I am in favour of

Sir - Regarding the Broadwater Road site. Previous correspondence on the subject has, maybe, been too polite and perhaps reflects on the reputation that Tesco's directors have in responding to criticism.

The leaflet circulated headed 'I am in favour of transforming Broadwater Road', and who would seriously object to that as a statement of intent, is a small masterpiece of deception so slippery that it is difficult to keep in ones hand.

However the devil, as always, is in the detail and the transformation comprises the construction of a giant supermarket, with a few trinkets of appeasement throw in.

This is akin to being offered first aid by somebody who has just hit your face with a plank and then finding that you are being charged for the plasters and bandages.

Who destroyed it as a set of buildings and created this wasteland?

Each building was capable of refurbishment to a useful purpose, including one, which if the council had any sense of local history should have been listed for protection.

Demolition means the landowners avoid paying rates and contributing to the community.

Add to this the fact that Tesco was admonished for placing signage illegally on the Shredded Wheat building then used the familiar variation on the Nuremburg defence 'Not our responsibility, our agents were not obeying instructions'.

The promised plans duplicate, virtually, activity that is available elsewhere in the town, or relatively close by, except the promise of low grade retail along with 'many more jobs in construction'.

This, while Tesco has imposed a 40 per cent cut in fees to all professional construction consultants (information source: CIOB Construction Manager Magazine and Architects Journal) and has just outsourced another million pounds plus of planning consultancy to India; most dare not complain for fear of losing what crumbs of employment are left to them and their staff .

No mention of course that Tesco is involved in similar assaults at St Albans, Hertford and many other towns across the country, using the power that comes from huge financial resources that drown local democracy.

If it is necessary to be reminded of the effect of Tesco on a local shopping centre we have the example of Hatfield and, on a smaller scale, Welwyn village.

Lots of other information can be found at www.tescopoly.org for those who are interested in protecting the community from commercial rape and pillage.

Remember that cheap usually comes at a price and mostly to someone else, except of course, the directors and their bonuses. Every little helps (them get richer).

Bryan Scott,

Daniells, WGC.

1