I wonder if I am alone in asking why our MP feels approval of the proposed sports/college complex in Pennington requires to be whole-heartedly backed by the people of Leigh to obtain planning approval.

As I understand it, major planning decisions are based on the Unitary Development Plan and the currently operative policy guidelines.

I ask will the proposals meet these requirements or are the rulers trying to impose another scheme that fits in with their egos and not the rules?

I trust the comments about the defeated Xanadu complex, such as "there is no express support in the plan for a major scheme of this nature", "there is only the most tenuous support for the proposals in the adopted UDP" and "the physical suitability of the site...has not been clearly demonstrated", and not the comments that apply to these proposals.

May we have assurances, please?

Finally, if planning decisions were based on local support there would not be a planning application from a builder to "retain a sales office" on Kirkham Road, as the development at Taylor's Hole would not have been approved.

Andrew Oxley,

Inglesham Close,

Leigh.