IN RESPONSE to letters published recently with regard to the proposed 'commercialisation' of Burrator reservoir I would like to draw attention to an alternative perspective.

Each week there are numerous police reports in the paper about thefts from, and damage caused to, cars parked around the reservoir, particularly those of foreign visitors. Cars have to park on damaged verges or in isolated, hidden locations ideally suited to car crime.

Refreshments' are limited to the occasional ice cream van. What a fine welcome we must be showing visitors to our region who would like a cream tea or a hot coffee and a warm place to sit in the winter, or a cool tonic in the summer.

The reservoir itself has no activities to attract visitors and perhaps some of us should remember that it is an artificial lake, built to supply the people of Plymouth with a water supply, surrounded by thousands of acres of artificial conifer plantations which have replaced the native environment of moorland and small areas of mixed, deciduous woodland.

Roadford Lake in contrast offers the visitor the following. There is a large, landscaped car park designed to blend with the environment whilst offering fine views of the lake. It is adjacent to a modern restaurant/gift shop with clean, well-maintained toilets. This facility ensures that parking is both regulated and safe. It is a smashing place to relax after a walk around the lake.

Local NIMBYs (not in my back yard) would do well to look beyond their rather short noses and contemplate the notion that a limited development might improve the chances of employment for their children, reduce opportunities for the thieves in their area, reduce the impact of the present car damage to the roadsides and even make their back yard a rather nicer place to live.

On second thoughts — 'Change? what, on Dartmoor? My God they might improve it! No Way!'

Graham Wilson

29 West Street

Tavistock

I WAS most disappointed to learn of South West Water's decision to appeal against Dartmoor National Park's decision to refuse planning permission to turn Burrator Lodge into a restaurant and build a new car park opposite, thus destroying the existing corrugated iron building and the surrounding woodland.

The fact remains that SWW is a profit-making organisation with shareholders to please; and it is these shareholders that will be the sole beneficiaries of SWW's proposals to commercialise Burrator Lodge — at the expense of the local community that enjoys the area as it is.

Furthermore, who is paying for SWW's appeal? We are. surely it is time that SWW started putting our money to good use instead of squandering it on plans that benefit no one but themselves? For example, they could demonstrate that they really care for Burrator by refurbishing the existing toilet block and installing facilities for disabled visitors.

When West Devon Borough Council, Burrator Parish Council, and Dartmoor National Park Authority all voted against the proposal, as well as the fact that Dartmoor National Park Authority has received 338 letters of objection with petitions totalling 1,285 signatures, surely an appeal can only be made out of sheer arrogance.

May I ask readers to write to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 1015, Tollgate House, Houlton Street, Bristol, BS2 9DJ, before November 7 objecting to SWW's appeal, as it is vital that local democracy is saved and that the people that make the final decision are as aware as Dartmoor National Park Authority of the overwhelming public feeling against the proposal.

R T Orchard

Midella Road

Yelverton