If any development is proposed on the Sneaton Castle site it should be affordable social housing and lots of it as the percentage of so-called affordable home son current developments is going nowhere near to making any impression on the ever-growing local waiting list.

The Tesco development, apart from being too close to residential property, would certainly have a serious impact on the two existing retail outlets nearby, at worst possible closure of both within the inevitable loss of jobs, so not much additional employment would be gained in that direction.

The petrol station down the road is already expanding so there is no need for another one in such close proximity.

However, the Sainsbury’s application is the one that everyone should be supporting. easy access, easy parking, no town centre hassle.

For non-drivers, only a short extension of the existing bus service would be required and being out of the town centre it would still give town centre shops a fighting chance of survival.

Sainsbury’s, together with Homebase, could sow the seeds for the future development of an out of town retail park with additional national known names.

The owners of the chemical company on the site say no way can they move, whatever happened to relocation grants?

Enough said re town council, let’s get Whitby kicked into the 21st Century.

Mr R Pearson, Birch Avenue, Sleights, by email