I was one of the first to support the plan for its new hospice to be built on Belton Hills, at Leigh.

Time has now passed and something doesn’t seem quite right. Yes the idea for an expanded facility is without question what is needed hereabouts, Many sites have been considered and quite rightly there has been much debate in these letters pages for the rights and wrongs.

Yes, it’s a nice site and as good as any to end your days, but I recall hardly any reasonable argument from Havens why this site is and should be the best alternative.

I understand the worries of Leigh people that once the precedent of planning approval is granted then what is to stop the big-boy developers applying under the power of the law of previous planning grants to apply for similar building developments all the way to prime site Hadleigh Castle?

It has been suggested the Little Havens site would be ideal as the Haven sister site way in the countryside yet readily available, quiet, local and with good road transport connections between the A13 and A127.

The shared site services and presumably no land purchase costs is a no brainer?

Isn’t it?

I have no doubt the credentials of the Salvation Army and the Havens charity are beyond reproach, but I do have to ask who introduced them to this nifty deal?

Whatever the decision of the planning committee, let’s hope that no emotive auto suggestion of compassion, taking in the sea view of the dying, will affect the decision.

Trevor Murdin
Flemming Crescent
Leigh