If it's listening why is council going ahead with this plan? (From Malvern Gazette)

If it's listening why is council going ahead with this plan?

11:17am Friday 27th July 2007 in Letters

I read with amazement the comments in last week's Ledbury Reporter by assistant cultural services manager for Herefordshire Council Mick Ligema regarding the lottery bid for Ledbury's new library.

"Public consultation" is something Herefordshire Council only pays lip service to. If he and the rest of the Herefordshire Council, including our own new councillors, listened, then they will be more than aware that the proposal to demolish the existing youth club and replace it with a new library and youth facilities in the same building has not been welcomed by anyone in Ledbury.

I have not spoken a single member of the public who thinks this is a good idea, on the contrary most consider it utter madness.

When will Herefordshire Council look properly at The Masters House. Why hasn't a forward thinking architect been appointed who, working with English Heritage, could draw up feasible plans for a new public library and other community services located in the Masters House.

At what point will Herefordshire Council declare the building so dilapidated that it will not be viable to restore for public use, and how much more indifference have we got to put with from a council that does not listen to public opinion?

If you want your voice heard, then register your objection on the petition that is in several shops around Ledbury including Tickled Pink, Ledbury Books & Maps, Eager Electrical and Gaynans.

Martin Eager, The Leasowes, Ledbury.