YOUR headline 'Coming to a town near you' (October 20), in which you say a 'Green light given for university to be built on controversial Coate site', is misleading as it gives readers the impression that this development is a foregone conclusion, that nothing can be done to stop it or any alternative can be considered.

It is dangerous to jump to conclusions that completely bypasses the normal democratic and planning processes. Outline planning permission has not even been granted yet and local plans, structure plans and regional spatial strategies are all under review at the moment.

The overwhelming view of members of the public is to preserve this site which adjoins areas of Special Scientific Interest and areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Critics of the Coate development are not against higher education per se but think that many brownfield sites within the existing Swindon urban area or even in areas of the north of the town that have already been scheduled for development would be suitable alternatives.

Swindon has expanded at a far too great a rate in recent years, it is time to pause and think about improving the quality of life here, not endless quantitative growth in an already relatively prosperous town.

BILL HUGHES

(Swindon and District Green Party)

Goddard Avenue