Jacquie Orme, of Dunning Walk, Teignmouth, writes:

I am writing in response to the letters from Roy Phillips and Ken Dennis.

I sent my comment regarding the possibility of a Morrisons at Broadmeadow Industrial Estate in the light of a decision which has already been taken.

Economically times are hard, but we should not suspend efforts and give up, but spend the time in the advent of the Broadmeadow development identifying what makes Teignmouth unique and building upon it.

I firmly believe that we should look at the positive in any situation, resist the temptation to complain and instead spend our energies working on our battle strategy. Other towns in the county, of which Totnes is a prime example, have large supermarkets on their periphery.

The town centre business owners and shop keepers do not try to compete, but analyse what makes them an original and attractive place to visit and begin to capitalise on that.

Major supermarkets would not be competing for a presence in our town if they did not feel it was worthy of investment.

Anne Marie Morris [Newton Abbot MP – Editor] is instigating a business mentoring scheme in the new year and this will afford us the opportunity to work together to identify how we can recognise the strengths of our town.

At the last town council meeting the speaker was Tristan Peat, from Teignbridge, who will be forming a steering group with a high proportion of community representation; implemented with the specific aim of realising some of the ideas proposed in the regeneration plan.

I feel that we are swiftly heading towards a time when our voices are heard and I, for one, have no intention of remaining silent.

For too long residents have felt disempowered; the 'Big Society' is the opportunity for voices to be heard. It is a pre-requisite that decisions and opinions are fed from the ground up and the voice of the community is imperative in this process.

Teignmouth has attracted an incredible amount of positive media attention recently – we are fortunate to be in an attractive geographical location and we have a thriving music scene and several lively annual festivals throughout the year. Coupled with attractive al fresco cafes and bars, galleries, unique gift shops and even an exotic pet shop, the town has much to offer.

We should look upon the Broadmeadow development as a positive opportunity to pull together and collectively ensure that the money raised through this deal benefits our town directly.

We cannot continue to build houses at the same rate (part of the requirements of the previous government) if the influx of people have no employment, face an infrastructure which is already overloaded and have nothing to do.

Several groups of people have been working tirelessly on projects to benefit the town; including TAAG and the projected redevelopment of the Carlton Theatre.

I may have my glass half full and rose tinted spectacles firmly in place, but I truly believe that working together we are invincible.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION