I AM appalled at the wide coverage The Bolton News is giving to Peel’s proposals for Hulton Park.

This is Bolton’s prime heritage asset, a jewel in its crown, and is being treated as a cash cow.

Why should we sacrifice Bolton’s most valuable piece of history?

There will be no economic legacy for Boltonians; this is the pipe-dream of a magnate who gets his way.

A Grade II park is not a development opportunity.

A park dating from 1353 and intact is exceptional anywhere; in south Lancashire it is a miraculous survivor. Bolton Council is the custodians of a rare historic landscape.

It is also the custodians of another one — Smithills; its records go back to the 14th century and its core park is still recognisable. But councillors gave permission for housing at its centre against advice from all heritage organisations. Why?

My letter of objection to the first planning application 00997/17 dated June 16 was not included on the council’s website; my letter to the revised one dated February 2 will not be shown either; I am told that ‘representations are not made public’.

Is that democracy?

Elaine M Taylor

Garden Historian