AS a pensioner who has lived in Swindon for 43 years I feel I have the right to protest at the proposed plans for various projects in our town.

The proposed mutilation of the Mechanics' Institute, right. The proposal for a ten storey block of flats at the institute is not on.

But at least our area has now returned to tranquillity after the closure of Desire And Destiny nightclub.

The prosecution of a number of undesirables who occupied flats in our area has also helped.

Crack houses and prostitution disturbed our lives with late night and early morning fighting, and verbal abuse, plus litter, drug needles and condoms.

I have no objection to people enjoying themselves but interrupting and interfering with other people is not acceptable.

The proposed college site at Coate Water is another bad idea. Coate is a beautiful amenity for everyone, not just Swindonians, and should be preserved as it is now.

Surely there is plenty of space in the North Star area for a college/university extension?

The Front Garden area is another fine feature of our Swindon and that should also be preserved.

Something else, I do not understand is why there are so many new developments of unused buildings.

WH Smith's offices in Faringdon Road and Nationwide in Princes Street are being converted into luxury apartments instead of homes for the homeless and young people.

L FOX

Swindon