IT is disappointing and distressing that the BFP sees fit to give free publicity, and tacit support, to a developer who has managed to convince your reporter James Cox into believing that his interests are purely to provide homes for the elderly.

Mr Simon Scott is no philanthropist. His motivation is to make money which is why he is in the business. He plans to use the small fortune he has already made out of his home for the elderly in Rectory Avenue, High Wycombe, to generate even greater wealth from another in Lucas Road, High Wycombe.

This could cause distress, disturbance and financial loss on the long standing residents in the area.

Mr Cox failed to gain the views of the residents and carefully avoided printing the many reasons stated by Wycombe District Council and the Residents' Association why this type of development in a residential conservation area is undesirable.

Your article explains that the health chiefs have given the scheme full backing. Most people are aware of the increasing need for more residential and nursing homes for the elderly. However, while health chiefs are expected to identify the need for more care homes it is not their job, or Mr Scott's, to decide on the provision of residential and nursing care homes.

This is a task for government both central and local.

Moreover, the type of development planned in Lucas Road, which was to be residential and not nursing, would only partly ease the burden of blocked beds.

While residents may be accused of at least an element of NIMBYism there are many parts of High Wycombe better suited as a site for a residential home.

It is all too easy to target the larger houses for commercial development in the few areas of character remaining in the town and so drive away the people who have lived here for decades.

I suggest that your reporter would have served his profession better if he had offered a balanced picture of the situation.

A W Parr

Pretoria Road

High Wycombe