I WAS horrified to hear of the plans to use the old Drakelow Tunnels as a retraining establishment for young offenders.

I believe from the information available that there will be facilities for sex offenders, drug rehabilitation and young offenders in general.

My husband and I have been in Kidderminster for a couple of years, since retiring. We considered ourselves privileged to have moved to such a beautiful area, and spend many hours walking our dog along rivers, canals and such places as Kinver Edge.

I cannot believe that the powers-that-be could consider using the historical tunnels for such a purpose.

If the information is correct, then surely the number of schools in the area makes it a bad choice to house sex offenders. Where will these young people go at night?

There is no local transport, so will they just be hanging around the local villages of Wolverley and Kinver?

I also believe that we have only until February 16 to lodge our objection - not a lot of time, as this is the first time I have seen any news coverage.

Surely, if there really is a need for such a place, then it should be in a much more highly policed area - inner city areas - where these young offenders can be monitored more closely.

KATRINA CHRISTENSEN

Brecknell Rise, Kidderminster

n I WRITE to express my deep objection to the planning application for the Wolverley Tunnels site.

The areas concerned are huge and there will be a negative impact on the environment and its surroundings.

Having chosen to live within the green belt, abiding by the laws that are set in place to preserve such an area, I am amazed to see that this application does not conform to Greenbelt Policy G5 and GB6.

The ecology of the area will be lost forever if these plans are passed, destroying the habitats of the protected species of badgers and bats, further contributing to their demise.

The roads to Drakelow are narrow, winding and dangerous, making access to the proposed site with current levels of traffic difficult.

How on earth will the road network be able to maintain the levels of transport needed to redevelop the site, and furthermore maintain the site when up and running?

There are more suitable sites for a development of this kind available in neighbouring industrial areas with empty units available.

LIZ COX

Address supplied

I WORKED in Drakelow Tunnels in the war, making parts for planes - two weeks on days, two on nights. I stayed at the hostel.

I think the site should be left as it is, for schoolchildren and other people who are interested to visit.

I am now 84 and my name was Witts when I worked at the tunnels.

GLADYS HILL

Address supplied