AS Environment Citizen Of The Year I was appalled to read Derek Benfield's letter about the Save Coate petition.

It has come to something when a leading light in the local Labour party sides with the Tory leader to try to discredit the work carried out by the environment and community movement.

The other sectors in Swindon have no vision of the future, they have no concept of the valuable resources they are destroying, their visions all seem to centre on glass and concrete, making it into Anywhere town.

The politicians were not elected to represent the people who might study here, who might shop here, or who might live here.

They were not elected to kow-tow to consortiums of developers and bullying universities who think they can dictate where and when they can come.

The people of Swindon ought to know how anyone who wants to protect our heritage is treated, they face insulting remarks, name calling and tutting.

Being "green" is non negotiable these days not being has frightening consequences for our children and grandchildren.

We are warning the people of Swindon that not leaving at least a one kilometre buffer will irretrievably spoil Coate Water and Derek, it seems you are saying that the 11,000 people who have already signed the petition are all stupid.

Such a nice man, such a silly letter.

Marilyn Beale

Penhill