MAY I, through your page, welcome the gentleman who has recently bought an apartment in Swindon to the reality of life beyond work in Swindon town of the 21st century.

If you wish to spend your life propping up a bar, partying half the night away and eating takeaways, then you are welcome here, as that is what our council seem to give endless planning permission for.

If, however, you enjoy a concert, or a decent play, want to see a national touring company, experience a large sporting event, or visit an exhibition, then you have to travel elsewhere.

Yes, Swindon can provide a wide range of buyable accommodation, but we have a council which seems unable to grasp the basic fact that to have a thriving town (or as they aspire to, a city) you have to have amenities for your growing population.

The gentleman will find that we have a council which does not listen to its residents.

I suggest he does as many of us do travel to Bath, Cardiff, Bristol or Birmingham and enjoy the culture and entertainment facilities those cities provide.

They will give you plenty of choice.

B A VAUGHAN

Ferndale Road

Swindon