LAST month, the Journal published a letter from a Durrington resident who suggested Amesbury be renamed 'whingeing city' because all anyone living in the town ever seemed to do was moan.

Graham Philp said in his letter that they had moaned about the proposed superstore on the Boscombe Down estate, about the strategic tanker programme, the Solstice Park development, the Stonehenge visitor centre and tunnel scheme, and finally the proposed DIY store on London Road.

The Journal decided to put Mr Phelp's views to local residents, to see whether or not they felt his comments were justified.

Patricia Ingham (81), of Coltsfoot Close, said she thought it very unfair Amesbury had been labelled 'whingeing city'.

"People are just sick to death of not getting the things they really need," she said.

"We used to have seven food shops in Amesbury and now we only have one, the children have nothing to do and we simply haven't got the infrastructure for all this new development.

"People are worried, that's all - we're certainly not whingeing."

John Baker (71), of South Mill Close, said there would always be people who complained but he felt most local residents were quite happy.

"There is a lot going on in Amesbury - people always tend to pick up on the negative things.

"As long as the facilities keep up with the developments - youth facilities, the infrastructure, schools etc - everything should be fine."

These sentiments were echoed by Kathy Read (59), of Tanners Field, who said things had to change in order for the town to progress.

"There is an awful lot of development going, probably too much," said Mrs Read.

"But once it's all done, it should bring a lot of work to Amesbury.

"I think people are just a bit disheartened in the meantime, and they have every right to air their opinions."

Like Mr Baker, Michael Miles (47), who owns Miles of Value, in Salisbury Street, said there would always be some people who loved to moan.

"At least we've got free parking in Amesbury and shops selling everything you need in the one place," he said.

"It's also a very friendly place to live and that's the most important thing.

"You can't stop development, you just have to accept it - as long as we don't get too much out-of-town development and lose the hub of the town."

Jackie Fox (32), of Moyne Gardens, said all the new developments were a good thing for Amesbury.

"It will mean more jobs and more choice - we won't have to travel so far for certain things," she said.

"We just need to make sure there are enough facilities for the youth.

"At the moment there is nothing for them to do, but this is the same in Salisbury - it's not just Amesbury."

Finally, the Journal spoke to James Hayler (35), of London Road.

He said too many houses had been built in the town but hopefully Solstice Park would go some way towards redressing the balance.

"Unless you like going to the pub, there's not much to do in Amesbury at the moment," he said.

"I think the developments will move the town forward and give it the boost it needs."