I WAS amazed to read the article about St Saviour's Church, (Mercury, page 9, November 1). I have lived in Weston all my life and my parents got married in this church

I WAS amazed to read the article about St Saviour's Church, (Mercury, page 9, November 1). I have lived in Weston all my life and my parents got married in this church. I have watched it transformed from an ugly duckling to a beautiful white swan over the last 18 months or so. I understand this year it won the Weston Civic Society Design Award for the best building in Weston. So, why does our local authority make it so difficult for anyone who is trying to restore and reintegrate these buildings into our community. Surely they can see this type of restoration can only benefit all the Locking Road residents and the town itself, especially when it is being put into good use as much-needed accommodation?I find it astounding that as the developer in this case could not pay the council the vast sum demanded by them of £47,500 in advance of selling any properties. The council seems to have just refused him retrospective planning and tried to double his contribution after he has already spent £1.8 million of his own money with what appears to be no Government or Heritage assistance. I do wonder where the council thinks the money all comes from? Businessmen are not like the council. If we get our costing wrong we go bankrupt. If the council gets it wrong they cover it by putting up our rates, fine more motorists for speeding or issue more parking tickets, etc! This behaviour by North Somerset Council really does highlight why most moderate developers steer well clear of Weston. I hope Mr Routledge fights his appeal and wins his case against this seeming attempt to extort more money from him so he can finish this wonderful project and try and recoup some of his investment.DAVID MORGAN - Locking Road, Weston