IT'S a pleasure to see vast green verges in the town's new suburbs, yet for the older areas there seems a desperate attempt to cram as many buildings as possible on to every handkerchief of space. The Victoria Square project even plans to take over the pavements.

Destabilising an area with over-building can eventually lead to a downward spiral of boarded-up units, which were never required in the first place. Another danger is that the setting up of a large restaurant complex in Stockton Heath could syphon off established trade from the town centre.

The planning department must decide between the local townspeople or developers out to make a fast buck.

STOCKTON HEATH RESIDENT AND WARRINGTONIAN

Name and address supplied