DISGRACE: Regarding the length of time St Modwen is taking to develop the old Victoria Ground in Stoke (The Sentinel, March 11), this has gone on long enough.

It is a disgrace the length of time this prestigious site has been left empty.

Is there anybody on Stoke-on-Trent City Council who can do something? Years ago, things got done.

We had men and women of vision on the council and for these people it was an honour to serve their city.

What have we got now? we have a few who are trying to sort this city out. The rest are a load of political pygmies.

Correct use of this site could start the regeneration of Stoke.

The site is perfect for housing, minutes from the motorway network, a mainline railway station on the doorstep.

I think you could say this is a perfect location.

If St Modwen will not do something with this site then the council must purchase it.

It was on about it a short while ago, so it must think it can afford it. The Government is offering grants to build social housing.

The council can apply for grants and, either in-house or with a reputable builder and local building workers, can then regenerate it itself.

I think that, after 13 years, St Modwen is not concerned about the site, so is it not time that the council showed it is?

This land must be acquired now, before St Modwen sells it to a supermarket.

ANTHONY GARNER

Stoke