Editor, I read the article about the bowling club move to Maidstone Terrace and the potential cost to ratepayers. Is the bowling club currently paying rates on its land? Won’t those proposed 40 (!) new houses planned for the bowling club site be paying rates? Won’t that offset any potential cost to ratepayers? I’m not saying I think 40 new houses are a good idea (I live in the area) but surely the increased rates take from those new houses offset the potential losses from the lower lease costs of the land at Maidstone Terrace. The current bowling club site is prime land and if my rates increases are anything to go by, the council will make a lot more money from houses than the bowling club. Disclaimer, I’m not a member of the bowling club.

A “thank you” to C M for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.