FURTHER to Stephen Fryer's letter (October 18) about the proposed 250/750 houses and railway, I am constantly amazed by developments such as a housing project or new stadium or whatever, that includes something that is supposed to be of benefit to the local populace such as a railway station,  a car park, or similar. 

If the developer suggested giving the local council several hundred thousand pounds to obtain the contract it would be considered a bribe and illegal, but if they offer to build a new station, access roads, or anything else, at similar cost it is apparently okay. 

I may be misunderstanding the situation, but to me there is no difference.

David Mitchell

Maynard Park

Bere Alston