IN response to the letter in SAM on October 3, 'Have they no respect' from David Eastwood, I would like to make the following points.

Trafford boasts 300 of its listed buildings as grade II, and therefore follows closely with the national average, nine grade II* and six grade I.

It is not true that the council lacks imagination or shows little interest in our valuable heritage.

Examples of grade II buildings include Duckworth's Essence Factory, a late Victorian red brick and terracotta structure in Stretford and the former Pyramid Cinema (now LA Fitness) in Sale.

At grade II* we have the eighteenth century Hale Chapel and the swing bridges over the Manchester Ship Canal at Barton.

Of the grade I buildings, the highest grade given, we have the hall, stables and carriage house at Dunham Massey and Royd House at Hale, designed by the prominent architect Edgar Wood in 1914.

We take great pride in our heritage buildings and ensure that the borough's listed buildings are maintained in good condition.

The Council is committed to promoting the regeneration of Altrincham.

It has identified some of its own land and property that could contribute to the regeneration process by looking more creatively around the Council's use of assets and maximising the potential for community use of buildings.

We are also looking at a building that can be flexibly used for modern purposes and has disabled access, which the present building does not provide.

Cllr David Acton, leader of Trafford council