I WISH to comment on the very negative letters about Chippenham that the Gazette & Herald has published in its last two editions.

The decision by The Range to abandon plans for developing the site at Cepen Way should be welcomed by anyone who has the best interests of Chippenham at heart. The greenfield site was a totally inappropriate location for such a massive development – 15 times the size of Wembley Stadium.

It would have destroyed large areas of countryside, made life a misery for the many residents living close by and the proposed retail store would have had a major negative impact on other retailers in the town.

The number of jobs it would have brought was also greatly exaggerated since many would have been relocated from its existing Bristol site.

Contrary to the doom and gloom expressed by the recent correspondents, Chippenham is booming.

It has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and has been earmarked by Wiltshire Council as one of the hotspots for economic development.

Given its enviable transport links, it is inevitable that the economy and population of Chippenham will grow over the next few years and the interest of housing developers is a recognition of this.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan is right to focus on the need to attract high-quality engineering and science jobs to the town.

Langley Park is surely the correct place for such developments, given its proximity to the railway station. Let us hope that there is no further delay in seeing this very necessary redevelopment come to fruition.

The visit of David Cameron to Chippenham to launch his EU referendum campaign is hardly indicative of a town in decline!

ROGER BACKWAY, Old Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham