May I refer to Coun Sturgis' letter of November 9, in which he accuses me of omissions. No, he is wrong or confused.

The minutes of the council meeting, September 5 clearly state the Goldiggers report was moved by Coun S J Bucknell and duly seconded by Coun Sturgis and other voices.

I believe that Coun Bucknell is chairman of the local Conservatives. The voting was: for 37 (two Independents, three Labour, 18 Conservative and 24 Liberal Democrats) against eight (seven Liberal Democrats and one Conservative), abstained one Liberal Democrat and one Conservative. Five members not present including Coun Poole.

Yes it was forced through because I was not permitted to speak on 45 pages of reports which included this sentence about Goldiggers: "The most valuable alternative use would be high density town centre housing."

In voting for the motion moved by the Conservatives the council was rejecting the Pizzazz proposal because we could get more money for it by knocking it down and building houses.

Indeed Coun Bucknell sought to rubbish my opinions by saying that the council had to behave like a private business and get the highest value.

He does not understand that best value is not the same as highest price.

Since then all those who voted for this nonsense have been back-peddling like fury in the face of widespread public disapproval.

But our Conservative MP James Gray is still confused. He has said that "we have plenty of community facilities n Chippenham, we don't need any more".

COUN PHILIP ALLNATT

Lady Coventry Road

Chippenham