SOON to be in my 74th year, I have always been a great believer in democracy and after 22 years of service in the forces a pride in what it is to serve.

Unfortunately with the recent planning application for the leisure centre, there was no democracy or pride shown by the TVBC councillors (except for the few who opposed the application).

The theme was “this is a planning application, and what the public thinks of what we are offering in this application, is of no interest to us whatsoever”.

I was always under the impression that we voted councillors in to look after our interests and consult us as to those interests when they are spending a lot of money. The couple of hundred people who attended to show their anger at not being consulted properly were told “To keep quiet or be thrown out”.

I have to offer my thanks to Mrs Long (Andover Town Council) and Councillor Tony Hooke, who gave impassioned speeches to delay the application and to allow a wider consultation to take place. Unfortunately this was to no avail.

The councillors can take no pride in their attitude or decision, and I admit I helped put them there, having voted Conservative all my life.

However when the local elections come round I certainly will not be voting the same way, and I would urge others to do the same.

I have been a member of the leisure centre for many years, I still use the gym several times a week, and I would like to thank all those Valley Leisure employees who are moving on, good luck in their new endeavours.

I wait to see what PfP make of the job ahead and wait with bated breath to see what next TVBC can mess up.

Remember please, we put you there, you’re supposed to serve us, but we can also take it away, put a note in your diary, and roll on 2019.

T Lloyd, Watermills Close, Andover