Friday's newspapers reported Hales's outrageous true-but-misleading comments which seem likely to encourage more treetop protests and further inflame the situation. Apparently he was up to the same tricks at yesterday's Chamber of Commerce meeting to try to persuade them to back the plan.

I've just seen a copy of the ruling conservative group's 2003 manifesto (they didn't bother to deliver it here, a safe Labour ward) which put the Walks plan under "Environment". So why the devil is it being shepherded by the councillor for Culture instead of the councillor for Environment? Because they don't want those pesky animals getting in the way of Heritage Lottery Fund approval?

Regrettably, they seem to have missed the simple fact that a line of small trees won't shelter the "cultural" listed buildings and grade II landscape from the car parks and rather severe buildings which surround the Walks. A small group will meet the leader of the council tomorrow (Wednesday) and see whether we can make them see these points.

Finally, I've been passed a copy of the council's "Public Involvement Promise". It would be good if it hadn't been ignored.

Follow the web link to read the letter.