SIR — Your report in last week's Free Press indicating that the district council's proposals to develop the Culvercliffe site for the purpose of dividing into zones for children's play areas, picnic places, space for ball games, dog walking sections, etc, together with an inevitable car parking facility, may have met with a hitch will probably be welcome news to the many residents and visitors who enjoy a pleasant coastal stroll which this stretch affords.

In any case, those who appreciated the peaceful unsullied surroundings of Culvercliffe would surely consider the indicated sum of £200,000 to be squandered on such a venture invading this quiet open space with so-called amenities and will regard such a scheme as being little short of controlled vandalism.

It will possibly be recollected that some years ago a concerted effort to open a pitch and putt course with car parking space on this spot was finally thwarted by overwhelming public dissention.

It is therefore somewhat gratifying to note that one of your correspondents a week or two back (who happens to be a district councillor) drew attention to his own council's fanciful suggestion of providing a 7,000 seater arena (supposedly capable of accommodating most of Minehead's population at one sitting!).

That monstrous pinnacled tent which occupies the eastern end of our bay surely provides sufficient entertainment for those who require it, rather than attempting to extend further depreciating activities over what's left of our once lovely seaside resort.

Jim Bennett,

Shute Farm,

Minehead.