I KNOW that I have said that the visual impact of the Coate development will be ghastly since we heard the news that multi-storey buildings were proposed around Coate Water.

However, if you think that I am exaggerating then perhaps you will believe the developers who have described the landscape impact of their proposals on Coate Water as "major to severe" in their environmental statement lodged with the planning application.

The likes of ex-mayor Derek Benfield and councillors Mike Bawden, Barry Thompson and others who said that we were misguiding people by suggesting that Coate Water will be adversely affected, should now hang their heads in shame.

It seems farcical that it is down to volunteers to protect Swindon's greatest asset, while those with power to stop it just roll-out the red carpet to welcome the developers.

J Saunders

Longcot