AN open public meeting was called by the Supporters of Ashton Gardens to vocalise the concerns of local council taxpayers and Councillors who were denied an opportunity to put the full planning case against proposed development at a recent council meeting.

All members of the council and developer Newfield Jones Homes received invitations to attend. Several councillors did attend. They clearly believe in the right of people to have their voices heard.

This contrasts with the view of Mr Hayfield of Newfield Jones Homes who, in politely declining the invitation to speak, said "On Monday 1st October the full Council of Fylde Borough ratified the

recommendation to proceed with the disposal despite the protestations of your pressure group and personally I consider this evening's meeting to be an affront to the democratic process".

The arrogance of this statement is exceeded only by its inaccuracy. The Council has not ratified any recommendation to proceed with the disposal. It had not yet even formally considered Mr Hayfield's offer to buy part of Ashton Gardens. It has considered a planning application, which is an entirely separate matter, and governed by the regulations of the planning system. When considering whether to dispose of land to Mr Hayfield -- land left to the town by Lord Ashton -- the council will be able draw on a much wider base of opinion and, indeed, may have wider responsibilities to address.

They could, for example, remember the pledge their forebears gave in 1914 when they accepted Lord Ashton's gift: "This Council, in accepting the munificent offer of Lord Ashton, desires to place on record its sincere appreciation of his magnificent gift to the town, which will ever remain as a monument to his benefice for the present and future inhabitants of St Annes on the Sea".

They could indeed have regard to the resolution of the recent public meeting: "This meeting calls on the Council to respect the gift of Lord Ashton and refuse to dispose of any of the land in Ashton Gardens which rightfully belongs to the inhabitants of the town."

They could remember that they are the trustees of the gardens given by Lord Ashton on behalf of the public who are their beneficial owners.

To help our councillors understand the anger that breaking faith with past promises invokes, people should now make contact with their ward councillors and urge them to vote against the disposal of the land given by Lord Ashton.

Names, addresses and phone numbers for your councillor can be found by ringing the Town Hall on (01253) 724141 or for those with internet access by visiting www.ashton gardens.org.uk.

Fred Moor

Sandhurst Avenue,

Lytham St Annes.