OVER the last few years I have read about the ongoing dispute over the former Spitalcroft allotments.

One of the facts I find interesting is that a number of people against development are residents of London Road and Jump Farm. For anyone who is unfamiliar with Devizes, Spitalcroft is in the middle of these two areas. I don't remember any of these individuals being so prominent when Drews Park was developed, or when plans were being put through for the future development of Quakers Walk.

The former allotment site is currently surrounded by housing so surely it makes more sense to develop this land rather than to continue to expand the town outwards?

The name of Jump Farm hints at what was formerly on this land. I am sure that when this estate was built there were many people who were upset to see so much farmland being developed. Are the residents of Jump Farm in any position to oppose this development?

As for the recent comments about the site being 'lost to the people of Devizes forever', let's not forget the people who represent the future of Devizes. That is, those trying and not succeeding through lack of funds to get on the housing ladder because supply is not meeting demand and house prices are forced up. Providing housing for young people who wish to continue to live in the town in which they were brought up is surely not a loss.

Enough money was wasted on the plans for the replacement allotment sites being refused time and time again only to be granted permission in the end. With council tax already set to increase again is it worth wasting more of the council's budget trying to prevent future development on the former allotments?

Hopefully the forthcoming public inquiry will put an end to the dispute. Otherwise I fear more Kennet tax payers' money will be wasted, because of a number of former allotment holders who have been offered an alternative site and the residents who wish to protect the view from their back garden.

MR A MARTIN

Devizes