Sir, – I refer to your report last week about opposition to plans for a retail development at Scotch Corner (D&S Times, Oct 24).

In the last 40 or so years, countless millions of square feet of retail space have been built in this country. We have developed an economy based on consumption rather than production, a situation that has already gone much too far.

Add to this the accelerating impact of the internet on retail sales and there cannot be a case for yet another out of town retail development when our existing towns need all the business they can get to remain prosperous.

I also question the viability of this scheme.

There is a vast difference in spending power in the hinterlands of Bicester in Oxfordshire and Scotch Corner. I believe that this proposal could well turn out to be a commercial disaster. Why would Armani, Prada and Gucci come to Scotch Corner?

If there is a substantial area of land appropriate for development, it should provide facilities for manufacturing, our northern strength that we must build on, or desperately needed affordable housing.

GERALD HODGSON

Spennithorne, Leyburn.