I read with interest and dismay your report (Evesham Journal, November 4) on the former Evesham Hotel. The District Council’s view of the flood risk (a significant risk) seems to be the problem preventing redevelopment of the site.

According to the records, the height of the hotel front door step is 5 metres above the normal summer level of the river. The records also show that only two floods in the last 100 years have exceeded the height of the door step (1998 and 2007). The new development to the rear of the hotel was to commence at first floor level and therefore well above any previous flood level. I understand that the Environment Agency was satisfied with the DR Securities proposal from a flood risk point of view so, with that backing, how did our planners arrive at a different risk assessment?

I agree with Mr Easterbrook that our representatives on the District Council missed a golden opportunity to redevelop this site. The site is now a disgrace and rapidly becoming a danger.

All the other businesses in this conservation area are back in business and they are at a lower level than the Park View.

The other eyesore on Waterside (for the past 12 years) is the publicly-owned old garage site and we are overdue a report on progress to date and plans for completion.

Ronald Briggs, C Eng, Evesham.