MADAM,

Chippenham Mead is an area of land belonging to the people of Monmouth and others to use, not MCC or WAG.

It is at present divided into sections for different sports like rugby, football, tennis, cricket and bowls.

Around two thirds of the remaining ground is for use by residents who do not privately partake in sports but who like to relax on their heritage the Mead, to sleep, sunbathe or socialise. This includes older teenagers between 12 and 19 years old.

If the so-called FOCM (Friends of Chippenham Mead) are allowed to intrude into this remaining space we will have even less space/ area to enjoy our particular leisure time.

We have a perfectly good play area, yes it needs upgrading and the £85,000 we have to spend refurbishing the play area will make it one of the best play areas in Wales.

But unfortunately most of this money will be wasted in surveys, legal fees and arguments on the proposed new development.

Then MCC will have to come up with all the necessary monies, as they seem to support the development, maybe they should.

This proposed development will need toilets, maybe a coffee bar for nannies.

However, this development is the thin edge of the wedge for lots of open space used by the public, if residents of Monmouth are happy with this loss then so be it.

If not, you better start to voice your objections to MCC/ MTC. These sort of decisions are taken without your opinion.

RW Bradley

(Monmouth)