SIR - I can understand why those living close to the proposed Aldi store, such as Brian Wareham, might oppose its construction (Chronicle letters, March 6).

His campaign against the supermarket (or "discount store" as he describes it) is energetic but misplaced.

I think Eileen Berry is right on this issue. Once the decision to allow a Waitrose on the old Honda site was taken, the argument against an Aldi store became much weaker.

Not everyone in Weeke can afford to shop at Waitrose, and Aldi will give others in the local community a choice which they would otherwise lack.

Given the Waitrose development, I see no reason why the old Chimneys site is not appropriate for an Aldi.

Brian Wareham's argument that Winchester needs more housing is tendentious - losing one (expensive) semi on Burnett Close is unlikely to contribute to Winchester's housing woes.

If developers were proposing to use the Chimneys site for affordable or social housing, I might have some sympathy for that argument. But they are not.

I am sure it is true that the Waitrose and Aldi develpments will have a detrimental impact on the residents who live at the lower end of Burnett Close.

Both companies, therefore, have an obligation to mitigate this as far as they can.

But offering people the choice of a cheaper supermarket is in the interest of the wider Weeke community.

We should not allow special pleading and narrow Nimby-ish self-interest to dominate this debate.

Martin Longden, Rowlings Road, Weeke.