The article 'Skate park under threat' (Ledbury Reporter, January 4) claiming that our planning application for bungalows on Area 15 at New Mills is jeopardising a possible skateboard park for youngsters is misleading.

Under a legal agreement signed in 1996 approximately one acre of Area 15 has to be passed by us to the council for community use - non-profit making activities serving the social and recreational needs of the local community. This community land is entirely separate from the land upon which we are currently seeking planning approval for 17 bungalows, a small shop to serve local needs and a meeting room. We have received considerable support for bungalows from local people and a number of sales enquiries already; little wonder when there is not one bungalow to be found in New Mills.

The present scheme replaces a former application for a shopping complex, something that local residents made it clear they did not want at a site meeting last year. What is finally built on the community use part of Area 15 is for others to decide - and not this company.

B W HOLTON, Miton Limited, Danemoor, Malvern.