Sir, I agree, wholly, with the points expressed in both letters printed last week regarding the proposed development at New Hedges. I would like to cite, from personal experience, an example which supports some of the points made. Last year I caught a ferry from Holyhead. I stopped for petrol at the town garage, only to find that it had been closed and was directed to go to Tesco on the outskirts of town as that was the only outlet. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the town garage had been there for 40 years before the arrival of Tesco. Spending a few hours in the centre of Holyhead was an unrewarding experience. There were very few local businesses. The main street was a succession of charity shops located in premises which had once housed butchers, grocers, bakers and greengrocers. Although this is not based on detailed research of the area, it does not take much imagination to realise that the out of town so-called 'development' had impacted on the businesses and, therefore, the life of the town. I am sure that this is not an isolated example and that other readers will have experienced similar situations in different parts of the country. Surely, we do not want the same to happen to the centres of Saundersfoot and Tenby. It is easy to say it will not happen, but is it worth the risk?

P. Francis,

Saundersfoot.