Debbi Thyne [The Weekend Sun, August 30] writing on 11 Mission St, asserts the issue is about trust.

She is absolutely right. Eleven Mission St was bought by Tauranga City Council, with ratepayers' money, with the sole intent that it be added to The Elms estate.

Ratepayers and the community have every right to expect that that promise would be fulfilled.

Eleven Mission St is on private land, part of that which was originally sold by Maori, and bought and paid for in 1838 by the Church Missionary Society.

The Otamataha Trust already has major say in The Elms having 2 of the 7 Board of Trustee members aligned with it.

For the council to renege on the promise would be simply a breach of faith and a betrayal of The Elms, ratepayers and the community.

Richard Prince, Welcome Bay