I have followed the progress of the planned Stockton Heath restaurant development with interest through the columns of your newspaper and have to say I am delighted by the council's decision to give the scheme the go ahead.

Warrington needs more decent restaurants and what better place than Stockton Heath? It's a village which is easily accessible and has plenty of parking in the evenings, as well as a couple of decent pubs for that pre or post dinner drink.

But I notice that not everyone shares my enthusiasm. What I can't understand is why. The Guardian has carried stories for years where Stockton Heath residents and councillors complain about the Hilal Corner, or Victoria Buildings, as I believe I am supposed to call that area. Now someone finally decides to put in the cash to give it a new lease of life and some people are still unhappy.

However, I understand from village gossip that many Stockton Heath residents ARE in favour of the restaurant development, but the objectors are giving the impression in their statements and letters that the whole village is against the the plans. I also understand, from a friend who was at the planning committee meeting which approved the plans, that anyone who dared to speak out positively about the plans was booed and hissed at.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Everyone has the right to their own opinion, and booing and hissing is just plain bad manners.

In the depths of Warrington North, Culcheth is a similar village with plenty of busy restaurants and pubs and it doesn't descend into chaos every weekend. Why not give this new development a chance?

KAREN HODGSON

Gorse Covert