THE only realistic longterm use for the site of the Buntings’ proposed heritage and conservation centre in Great Horkesley is to return it to agricultural or horticultural use.

This is precisely what the late Peter Bunting agreed to in a covenant drawn up at meetings with, among others, the rector of Great Horkesley, Frank Martin, my late father, the rector’s churchwarden, and the landowner.

The covenant stipulated that should the proposed tomato-growing business fail, the land would be returned to agricultural use.

These meetings, which Mr Martin’s daughter and I remember very well, and the covenant resulted from the rector’s desire to protect his beautiful parish church and its tranquil setting from further development in the future. I know Stephen and Ben were only children at the time, so perhaps they cannot be expected to remember, but they owe it to their father to honour his agreement, just as I owe it to the memory of my father and Frank Martin – to whom the setting of the parish church in an area of outstanding natural beauty meant so much – to remind them of their obligations.

PAULINE TAYLOR

Upland Drive

Colchester