I MUST say how much I agree with Bill White’s letter concerning the application for a Morrison store in Stoney Lane, (a wider choice of food store needed, Echo June 8).

How short-sighted of Christchurch Chamber of Commerce is in opposing this application.

Being so close to the town centre Christchurch traders can only benefit. Bridport, Blandford and New Milton have all benefited from having a store like Morrisons as an attraction. The way things are going Christchurch will be left behind by shoppers, owing to the conservatism of the existing traders, who one day could find themselves without any customers.

Another very important point is that if our planners reject this application Beagle Aircraft Limited will have to sell their site for other development, perhaps even more houses, putting pressure on local services and traffic.

The traffic situation is something that Morrisons have in it’s application made plans for by, relieving pressure on Bridge Street.

So wake up Christchurch and consider the pensioners who would benefit with a lower cost store.

JOHN DEWDNEY, Nelson Drive, Christchurch