I READ with surprised interest (Times, May 13) that the plan for Exbourne to have an underground shop and post office is still in existence.

It is so long since we were told anything about its progress that I, and, I feel certain, quite a number of other Exbourne residents had either forgotten about it or had assumed that the committee had dropped the plan. There was a village newsletter a few months ago but it told us very little in the way of practical detail except that it required the raising of what seemed to be an unrealistically large sum of money.

It seems from your report that this is still the case. So, it seems reasonable to suggest that the committee should review the position, in particular with regard to whether the village as a whole is still of the same mind as it was when the first questionnaire went around about two-and-a-half years ago.

There was a high response to this, with a clear majority in favour of a replacement post office and shop to be housed in the original premises, suitably rebuilt. When buying the old premises became impossible, the idea of building underground was introduced and, as an idea, caused great excitement, an amazing idea.

But time has gone on, and feelings change. No-one to my knowledge now misses the old business, especially as Mrs Hordern and her helpers provide an excellent necessary minimum service in the village hall on Mondays and Fridays. And this, in turn, I am given to understand, is a major help to the hall with funds for a viable future.

But this important service is only applicable to a minority of the village. The majority, whether working or retired, shop outside the village and are quite happy to continue so do to. I see no reason to assume that there would now be a sufficiently major change to justify the expenditure of a quarter of a million pounds.

So although I personally have no doubt that the committee has proceeded in a completely sincere and professional manner, I do hope they have the courage to re-assess the need with open minds, before the irrevocable step of committing such a large sum of money. I believe that they will find that the present arrangements are sufficient for the needs of the village, particularly of the older residents.

Of course, we can all of us understand that Mrs Hordern may wish to withdraw, at some stage, from what must be for her a very tiring time-consuming and onerous task. But if the present arrangements are resulting in income could not a part-time person be employed to run it?

An Exbourne resident

Name and address withheld