SIR — I note that Mrs Beryl Parnell is concerned that Minehead is stagnating and that the influx of a large number of people on the proposed development site at Hopcott will be of assistance (Your Letters February 21).

Over recent years, Iceland, Morrisons, Weatherspoons and more recently Costa Coffee have all joined us, and Lidl is waiting patiently in the wings.

The small businesses people of the town are working hard with a positive attitude towards moving out of recession and are looking forward to a good holiday season.

It would therefore seem that Mrs Parnell's appraisal seems to be based on dubious facts.

It is obvious that the proposed development will bring in people with the potential of providing some trade. However, as for bringing in jobs, it is a nonentity. The big question still remains: "Where will they all work?"

Perhaps Mrs Parnell would like to enlighten us all with a plan to put 2,000-plus people to work in the Minehead in the coming years.

Alternatively, perhaps some of those who attended the planning seminar last September and "seemed to approve the recommendation" would like to add their plans for jobs!

G F Elston,

Periton Road,

Minehead.