COUNCILLOR Paul Denham criticised St Peter's councillors for not taking a wider "city view" on the vote about developing the Oil Storage Depot off Bath Road.

Coun Denham was supporting the city and clearly following party and Government guidelines. Very loyal, but not loyal to the people of Worcester.

During the debate nothing was heard that made me think that he was concerned, or cared about the inhabitants of this city.

Would the voters in his Ward understand his reasoning for supporting this poorly thought-out application if it was on their doorstep?

The reasons for refusal were premature because there is sufficient doubt about human safety from fuel contamination. The MoD, which owns the land, simply needs to sell it to a developer, leaving them to pick up the pieces. Insufficient studies, all carried out on their behalf leave serious questions about the site.

There are several hectares of land to clean up and six steel-lined, underground fuel tanks which have been slowly rusting away since installation during the Second World War. Thank goodness the majority of councillors had the guts to speak out about these reservations before the local residents were simply pushed to one side.

Even the proposed access was described by the Planning Officer as "not ideal" and that preferably other means of access would be better. A make-do-and-mend solution if ever there was one!

The residents who live near the site realise this is not the end of this saga, but I congratulate the members who voted for refusal. Sometimes you need to stand up and be counted, rather than just follow party spin.

RICHARD BRADLEY,

Elm Green Close, Worcester.