IN response to Councillor Wayne Campbell's letter (November 7), the only "public confusion" regarding the re-development of Whitefield town centre, is over why he and the rest of the council are now intent on promoting any scheme other than Dransfield's proposals for a supermarket.

An explanation for this change of attitude is long overdue, given that the council considered Dransfield's proposals perfectly acceptable 18 months ago, and were prepared to enter into an agreement with them to develop the site.

The council recently chose Crosby Homes as their preferred developer, not the wisest choice given that the company withdrew within a few weeks. They were quickly replaced by David MacLean Homes though, like Crosby Homes, they appeared to have only vague proposals, rather than a detailed plan, prepared at that time. Their proposals have now been published and, after all the hype of recent weeks, they are very disappointing and impractical.

Coun Campbell states that it is not purely a residential scheme, yet their plan shows the whole of Phase 2 (the Brand Centre site) covered by housing. There are 118 apartments above the shops and, just for good measure, they have squeezed yet further apartments onto the Elms Street frontage.

I believe the public will therefore judge this proposal for what it is: primarily a residential development. The "supermarket" proposed is only slightly larger than the old Kwik Save premises and the other retail units are of a size similar to those which still remain empty on the Elms Precinct development.

Coun Campbell's letter is an obvious attempt to promote one scheme at the expense of another. He should find out what the people of Whitefield want, rather than telling them what the council has decided they are going to get.

GEOFFREY G. WATSON