The despoliation of Camden Town was not inevitable [Russell Grant]

• AS Russell Grant vividly described, Camden Town has been ruined for residents, (It’s all gone horribly wrong down the high street, April 14).

It is dominated by the needs of Camden Market. One must ask what is the point of the market? It causes a horrendous amount of wasteful consumption.

Tourists are encouraged to fly in from around the world to buy things that they don’t need, fuelling the climate and ecological crisis.

Camden Council appears to believe that this type of commercial activity should be encouraged and have granted planning permissions and licences which have enabled it.

The main business exploiting Camden Town is Labtech, who have been supported by the council.

The despoliation of Camden Town was not inevitable, and a sensible council would have reined it in ages ago.

It is time to stop this irresponsible business model. Then we can start restoring Camden Town to a liveable environment for local people.

SUE SHEPHERD
Savernake Road, NW3