The annual meeting of the New Marston (South) Residents' Association in Oxford could not understand why some people continue to criticise the renovation of New Marston Scout Hall.

The internal improvements, finished last year, were paid for by half the planning gain money from Magdalen College when the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies was developed in Marston Road.

The other half went to an all-weather 'street sports' site on New Marston recreation ground.

Most New Marston folk do not attack that provision (for which I worked when I was a councillor) as a waste of money, or run an audit on its use. This association welcomes any improved opportunities for recreation.

There are two issues in the campaign against the Scout Hall led by Michael Haines - whether value for money was achieved in the renovation and whether the project is worthwhile for New Marston. On the former, if the money had not been used, it would have been returned under the planning agreement.

No sensible alternative project was put forward. The city council agreed to undertake the renovation. The Scouts and this association believe that the costs were reasonable.

As acting Scout leader Adrian Edwards explained (Oxford Mail, June 4), new toilets, central heating, alarms, flooring work, disability work and a wide range of adaptations and renovations were undertaken to bring the hall up to a basic modern standard.

The Scout group has thrived since the improvements - many young people now use the hall.

On the community side, a Tai-Chi group regularly uses it and many one-off and regular events have taken place since last autumn when it reopened.

The local pre-school group will probably use it every weekday for two terms when building work starts soon at St Michael's School.

Parties, a vegetable show and other activities are already in the diary, with others in the pipeline.

A leaflet was delivered to all homes in New Marston last year asking for volunteers to help make the Scout Hall a focus for community activity.

A few people came forward to help. About 70 came to an open evening at the hall in October, 2007.

Many good ideas for future use were made. But Mr Haines and his neighbours came solely to criticise. They brought not one positive idea for improving recreational and community activities in New Marston, nor did they offer help.

This association sees the wider use of the Scout Hall as a positive step for New Marston. Mr Haines and his circle see fit to run down this initiative.

The community use of the hall will continue to grow, despite this negativity.

No viable alternative for use of the Magdalen money was proposed by the detractors. If Mr Haines wants to organise youth activities in the hall, he is free to talk to the management committee.

Action speaks louder than words. Petitions rarely change anything.

Sometimes self-help by volunteers is the only way, but it can take time to root and grow.

Spoiling tactics from people with unclear motives and no positive proposals are not helpful.

ROY DARKE Chairman, New Marston (South) Residents' Association Member of the Management Committee New Marston Scout Hall