ALMOST all Beaconsfield residents who have heard about Sainsbury's plans for further development of the Maxwell Road store believe it to be unnecessary and undesirable.

One resident, Ms O'Neill, was so concerned that near the end of last year she raised a petition with over 100 signatures. Early this year Beaconsfield Town Labour Party was out in the snow distributing leaflets to make sure people knew about the plans, and encouraging them to write to South Bucks District Council.

Given all of this, I was not surprised to read ('Angry Residents to see MP', BFP March 16) that another resident was so concerned that he sought the support of his MP, Dominic Grieve. I was surprised to read that Mr Grieve recognises the proposed development as such an important issue and he plans to take it up.

This will surprise Ms O'Neill too, because she wrote to him on behalf of residents asking for support in November.

He replied saying it was a matter for the council, that he has no part in the planning process and described the response to the plans as 'mixed'.

It is wonderful that Mr Grieve has decided to join the local campaign, eventually, but I do wonder what has made him change his mind.

Maybe he thinks there is an election on the horizon?

Stephen Lathrope, Labour prospective parliamentary

candidate for Beaconsfield, Wilton Crescent, Beaconsfield