Your article about St Osyth Priory (Gazette, January 21) was very impressive.

However, you should have taken a picture from the road side to see how neglected it is and has been for hundreds of years, including the last ten.

I am pleased you published the telephone number to contact the organisers of the tour, because their letter of invitation only included a handful of the villagers.

This project, being a private residence, has no more rights than those of us who own properties dating back to the 15th century, for which we get no assistance from others.

I do sympathise with the cost of repairs needed, but that is what you take on when you buy such buildings.

English Heritage should only be interested in buildings that are publicy owned, because their finances are provided by us and should not be used for private individuals.

If this project is allowed to go ahead, then will the profits from the eventual sale be given back to those who have contributed to its restoration, including those whose properties may well have lost value due to the conservation area now having been built on?

No doubt a few historians will support the venture, living in the past and not the present or the future.

I trust those in power, councilors from all interested parties, will think very carefully before theysupport this unnecessary project.

Jimmy Green
Mill Street
St Osyth