WITH reference to the Journal item about eyesore pubs (January 22) it is so sad to see the former Park View Hotel in such a mess.

This is the result of the planning decision around 2009, even though the hotel only had floodwater inside the hotel twice in its entire existence.

The two floods of 1998 and 2007 were rated by the Environment Agency as exceptional, with a return period of 1:400 years.

No other river Avon floods in the previous 100 years would have entered the Park View Hotel.

It seemed a fair risk for the developer to take at the time.

It is a pity that the planners were unable to see it that way.

As a result of their decision we have the present mess which could be around for a long time to come.

Ronald J Briggs

Evesham