IT WOULD appear that Saffron Walden Business Forum and Town Mayor Hilary Shibata are apprehensive about the future of Saffron Walden (Reporter March 8). So are a lot of other people – myself included! If they are so concerned why didn t they speak out ea

IT WOULD appear that Saffron Walden Business Forum and Town Mayor Hilary Shibata are apprehensive about the future of Saffron Walden (Reporter March 8).

So are a lot of other people - myself included! If they are so concerned why didn't they speak out earlier about the historic centre falling into the hands of a property developer?

Are they so naive as to think that Philip Davies and The Monument Group really care about the town?

They have come to Saffron Walden to make money. No doubt they will contribute to the community by responding to a little arm-twisting on behalf of local charities.

But just so long as it doesn't cost too much and their photos appear in the press holding a cheque, grinning like crocodiles awaiting the arrival of the next shipwrecked sailor.

Far from breathing new life into the town, they will turn it into a desert of down-market dumps by charging uneconomic rents that no small business can possibly sustain.

Wake up Mrs Shibata and Saffron Walden Business Forum and face reality. As for the town council - where were they?

I do not believe one member was present at the recent meeting held by the business forum on March 22.

When all the damage has been done - and it soon will be - no doubt they will start bleating about preserving the heritage of the town.

Jean Gumbrell

Ashdon