I feel sure it never even occurred to our national politicians that the imposition of a smoking ban on pubs such as the Walnut Tree would lead to the ruin and closure of thousands of pubs.

Incidentally, it also proved what utter rubbish were the claims from many people that they would use their local more if smoking were banned.
Regrettably our local politicians seem little better at predicting the outcome of their actions.

Two or three years ago, the owners of the Walnut Tree tried to sell the site for a combination of two and three-storey buildings containing 34 apartments.

Our local councillors succeeded in getting the application thrown out on what now appears to be pretty spurious grounds.

The refusal notice stated that "the overall height, mass and bulk of the development in a prominent corner location would have an over-dominant visual impact on the street scene".

This from the very same council that did allow the demolition of several detached houses in Lillington Road, adjacent to Oak Tree Close, and their replacement with a large development of three-storey flats.
As a local shopkeeper, I know that the area does not need any more shops but it does need a public house and if, because of ill-conceived legislation, it cannot have one then at least give us more housing. That will always be needed. Those who for whatever reason do not wish this change to happen should accept that only by objecting to a change of use can anything be achieved.

It would be useful if local councillors could be a little more active but regrettably some are already muttering about the possible cost to the council if they stand up to Tesco.

I don't recall cost being much of an issue when they stopped the development at Coventry Airport, and that must have cost the ratepayers an absolute fortune. Furthermore as I am mainly retired these days I was quite looking forward to using Coventry Airport.

Could our councillors and planners try and be a little more coherent and consistent please. - David Brown, Sandown Close, Lillington.