Last year, residents in Daneholme Avenue were led to believe that the brass band had withdrawn its planning application and was seeking a site elsewhere.

It was not until a letter from the district council, dated July 14 2008, arrived that we were made aware that it was proceeding with the application. Comments had to be made by August 4, allowing little time for local discussion let alone consultation. Consultation requires active dialogue over a period of time, something residents could not instigate as we were in the dark. We have not been approached by either the council or the brass band at all over the last 12 months.

No-one is questioning the positive contribution that the band makes in Daventry, rather its ill conceived re-siting in a residential area mainly populated by the elderly.

Our main concern, in addition to those already highlighted by the band, is the fact that its planning application is for the hall to be used for social use.

This would mean that the hall could be hired for any social use, at any time of day or night. A key fact omitted by your correspondents.

Its current hall is already used for other social purposes.

A new, modern building is likely to attract even more groups and events. Especially as the community centre and youth club are no longer to be included in the new Learning Quarter development off Ashby Road.

Therefore, rather than just two or three weekly brass band practices, the hall is likely to be used seven days a week, at all times of day and late into the night for any social event, some likely to be fuelled by alcohol and attracting additional nuisance.

Perhaps Mr Meller would be happy for the hall to be built in his front garden, I doubt it. We already accept the proximity of a range of community facilities with little or no complaint. However, this proposal is one step too far.

We do not wish to deny anyone the right to have fun. We just wish to exercise our right to feel secure and comfortable in our homes in the latter years of our lives.

The redevelopment of Daventry town centre is not just a paper exercise moving blocks around a planning model to make things fit; this is about real people's quality of life.

We elect our councillors to listen to us and act on our behalf. We can only pray that common sense will prevail and that they will listen and that this application will finally be rejected by the council when it comes before it.

Barbara Payne
Daneholme Avenue
Daventry