PROTESTERS who fought against the planned new Coleford Community Enterprise Centre beside the town railway museum say they are dismayed at the decision to go ahead.

They say they want their fears for the long term consequences to go on record and have written an open letter to the county council and everyone else concerned about the future of the town.

"We are deeply disappointed and frustrated at the recent decision of Gloucestershire County Council planning committee to approve the Centre," they state.

"We want to place on record our belief that it is a retrograde step in the town's development for the following reasons:

1. The facilities for elderly people will be less convenient and less accessible – this has already been flagged up by those who use the Dr Charley's Centre.

2. Facilities for youth work will be downgraded (floor space loss is well over two thirds) and those providing youth services are known to be unhappy with the new arrangements.

3. The loss of coach parking facilities coupled with the district council decision to close the Tourist Information Office is a severe setback to Coleford's pretensions to be a 'tourist friendly' town. The Railway Museum will also have poorer access.

4. There will be a loss of car parking spaces near the commercial centre at the same time that nearby housing developments are planned.

5. It will result in the loss of one of a limited number of valuable civic spaces left in the town.

The letter-writers continue: "Planning for these vital aspects of our town services lacks vision, which seems to have lost out to the overriding demands of expediency, government policy and vested interest.

"We are concerned residents of the town who wish to see the views of its people more adequately consulted and the long-term planning for its future more carefully considered.

"The county council has declared: 'local people and local institutions know best how to improve our local area, solve local problems and create thriving and sustainable communities' (motion 646 of the committee considering the Communities in Control White Paper, January 21).

"We note with concern how sharply this contrasts with the view of our elected county councillor, Peter Chamberlain, who is reported in a local newspaper as saying 'We have pulled it off, in spite of Coleford' (January 29)."

The letter is signed by Walt Williams, Ivor Ellis, Denis Martin, Sean Walsh, Mike Rees and David Swinyard.