SIR, - I would like to reply to two letters in last week's issue criticising my comments welcoming the proposed new Netto store.

Mr Hogston thinks that as chairman of the Planning Committee I should not comment as it might signal prejudice on the impartiality of such a role'.

I have my thoughts on the development, and it is these which will influence my approach to the application when it is submitted. They will not have changed by airing them.

What might change them is the influence that my constituents might bring to bear on me, this being a democracy. The only opinions expressed to me in person have, without exception, welcomed the development.

Both Mr Hogston and Mr Hamer think that the proposed new store (which cannot be a big supermarket because of the restrictions of the site) will be another nail in the coffin of our existing independent traders'.I do not believe that this will be the case.

It is a fact that the price of alcohol at Netto is the lowest of any retailer within miles. With this knowledge we have seen the recent investment of a new business selling high quality wine, and another selling bottled beers from around the world.

Similarly, despite Netto's low prices, another greengrocer has joined the two established businesses already in town.

I think your correspondents are being alarmist and over-dramatic. These new businesses show that there will be opportunities for those businesses which sell a wide range of high quality products, and that the shoppers of Otley will continue to support them.

Gerald McGowan 15 Queen's Place,Otley.

Using hospital

SIR, - I am writing with regards to your article in the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer of January 25 about Wharfedale Hospital.

I would like to make the following comments: 1) I really do not know why they decided to spend all the money to re-build the hospital when two years later they decide to close units down.

Is it going to be that this hospital will end up run down and neglected like the last one or will they just shut it down, sell off the land and let a property developer have it to make into a residential site? If so, what a waste?

2) This hospital is a lifeline for elderly people and others in hospital and family members who have to visit who live in and around Otley who do not have transport.

3)I currently use the Opthamology Department for my daughter and will do for some time.If this unit were to close I would have great problems in taking her to anywhere else.I live in Pool-in-Wharfedale and I do not drive, so for convenience this hospital is ideal - not just for myself but for so many others.

4)If the units are closing why can they not utilise these units in other ways maybe a Maternity Ward or wards for small operations etc?

5)It will be such a shame after all the money and time spend to build this hospital that it is not used to its full potential and also for the people who may be forced to give up their jobs working at this hospital.

Julia Marshall Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Spots unchanged

SIR, - I think Tory hopeful, Mrs Molligan (sic), protests too much about my criticism of her party's dreadful local record on the NHS. But I notice she uttered not a word about the main reason for my anger.

I was livid that her Tory colleagues on Leeds City Council had pontificated about the NHS at the same time as they were depriving 93-year-old war veteran, Thomas Place, of his home care service.

That suggests the Tory leopard has not changed its spots in the way she suggests. I don't blame her personally for the six hospitals her party closed, such as Woodlands Orthopaedic in Rawdon, the Grove in Ilkley, plus Killingbeck, St George's in Rothwell, Roundhay Maternity Hospital and Marguerite Hepton in Boston Spa.

However, I do blame (and fear) the party she belongs to - I have seen what they do once they're in power. Consequently, as the Tories are talking about cutting £21 billion from public expenditure, I wonder precisely how they plan to be the saviours' of the NHS or any other of our wonderful public services for that matter?

She says the Tories plan to take the NHS ...out of the direct hands of politicians'. That's a pretty piece of political populism, but it sounds to me like a brilliant way of Tory politicians, like her, dodging responsibility in future when things go wrong and denying accountability for the way in which they will be spending our taxes.

It's only natural that she should climb on the bandwagon regarding Wharfedale Hospital. The trust's decision to close the ward at Wharfedale and the way it took that decision are reprehensible but it's only natural that those of us with decent memories and a love of the NHS should remember that under her party Wharfedale Hospital was seriously run down, neglected and threatened.

David Tebb 15 Cavendish Road,Guiseley.

Benefit from store

SIR, - Opponents of Netto's proposed new supermarket should understand that Otley has no future if it is protected as a job creation scheme for small shops.

Very few supermarkets close due to lack of customers because they provide what the customer wants.

Supermarkets bring people in to the town, and these people will also use well run small shops, of which Otley has many examples.

Supermarkets raise the benchmark of local shopping by encouraging specialist shops with high levels of service and product quality and closing down poorly run expensive shops.

This is to everyone's benefit, and if Otley rejects the shopping facilities people want, these facilities and their customers will go elsewhere and take their money with them.

Peter Carey Wharfeview,Leeds Road,Otley.

Pleased with bin

SIR, - Why don't people seem to know what day their green dustbin is emptied?

On the letter from StreetScene Services dated October 24, received by every house in Otley, it states in bold type: "The green bin will be emptied on a Monday every four weeks. Please refer to the hanger on your bin for your week of collection."

As with everything else, there will be teething problems and the first green bin collection was done on a Sunday, but the next one was on a Monday, as planned. Some people just don't like change.

Having wanted a wheelie bin for years and been denied one because of the terraced streets of South Otley, I am delighted with my bin.

Margaret Wilkinson Neville Road, Otley.

Helped after fall

SIR, - At 11.30am on Tuesday, January 24, when walking through the Lix car park', Otley, I slipped on some black ice. I couldn't get to my feet, the pain was so bad in my shoulder.

A couple came to my rescue. Elaine (I think was her name) helped me to their car and rang my good friend, Mrs Shuttleworth, who drove me to Wharfedale Hospital.

Through your paper I would like to thank them and contact them, if they could leave their name, address, with you, as I didn't get chance to thank them for their kindness.

May I also thank the staff at Wharfedale Hospital for their kindness and attention.

Mrs A Tracey Ripon.