On behalf of the Trust for Devizes, I should like to say how pleased we were to be able to support the Guardians' effort to have the planning application, granted by Kennet last week, for five town houses on the Snooker Club site in Station Road.

The application was in danger of refusal on the grounds that taking it into residential use reduces the vibrancy of life in Devizes town centre, but our feeling is that the site is in a backwater with few signs of vibrancy, and that more self-respecting householders might cheer the area up a bit.

However, there is a valid concern that the Snooker Club is one of the few venues available off the streets for youngsters below the age of 18, who are not catered for in the other town snooker rooms.

We are urging that the district council uses its Section 106 powers to obtain a contribution from the developer, towards the provision of replacement snooker facilities at the Sports Centre, for young people.

In addition, we shall attempt to

persuade other snooker room operators to widen their membership to under-18s for the same reason, even if not every under 18 would necessarily leap at the idea of joining the Conservative Club for this purpose. Then again, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all!

On a more seasonal note, may we thank the Gazette and all its readers for their support and understanding of our efforts for Devizes over the past year, and wish them all a splendid Christmas, and great enjoyment of our fine town in 2004.

J Ody

Chairman

The Trust for Devizes