How much is eyesore costing us? (From Gazette Series)

How much is eyesore costing us?

SIR - Re 'Dursley Shed' (Letters, Gazette, October 29), it would be wildly optimistic to hope to unearth the actual cost from the Town Trust who administer and co-ordinate all funds gone into the eyesore but let's get our calculators out to do our own Miss Marple.

How much did the South-West Regional Development Agency contribute (a significant grant?), central government, contribution from district council (council tax)? This is the freehold of the property valued and a £100,000 contribution on eventual completion of the works.

With the county council spending £3m a year to promote the Cotswolds, it would be interesting to see any contribution made to register their approval.

Because of secret, confidential reports before and up to June, 2002, only the Dursley trust can reveal true costs or hidden future expense ie maintenance and running costs. So, as the trust ask us to pay to renovate the Market Place, I will invite the Town Trust to reveal figures and papers dealing with the building in a monthlong exhibition in the Market Place, charging 50p entry towards restoration.

But in the meantime, Peggy Whiting, don't hold your breath that there may be second thoughts about spoiling the Cotswold market town and they send in the demolition squad to bring back visitors.

Frank Amesbury, Shelley Road, Dursley