MAY I reply to the letter by W Vigor in which he/she endeavours to support the case for development at Coate.

Contrary to W Vigor's assurances that the views will be unaffected, there is little doubt that the views of Liddington and the surrounding downland will be lost, or seriously obscured. W Vigor also considers the well tended shrubbery will be a haven for wildlife. The needs of wildlife are adequately catered for in the extensive nature reserve and bird sanctuary which already exist at Coate Water.

W Vigor further attempts to justify development by inappropriately drawing a parallel between Coate Water and two inner city parks (presumably Town Gardens and Queens Park). The houses surrounding these parks were there first; when the site of the parks were major eyesores ie a disused stone quarry and a flooded clay pit, near a disused brickworks. The creation of these parks greatly enhanced the areas. Coate Water on the other hand was created originally by the canal company at the turn of the 19th century and has steadily grown as a place of natural beauty ever since.

R MORSE

Swindon