SIR – I refer to letter entitled For the Common good in The Comet dated October 26 If the writer looks at the Ordnance Survey map of 1884 she will see the remains of ancient strips in the open fields of Clothall End. This land was under plough since I c

SIR - I refer to letter entitled "For the Common good" in The Comet dated October 26

If the writer looks at the Ordnance Survey map of 1884 she will see the remains of ancient strips in the open fields of Clothall End.

This land was under plough since I came to Baldock in 1948 and eventually became a housing estate. To call this remaining piece of undeveloped agricultural land a village green is ridiculous and it has never been used by the people of Baldock as such although admittedly it has been used as a receptacle for dog muck in recent years.

Prior to the housing development this piece of land was never used for recreational purposes. It was farm land.

REX HORLEY

Baldock

SIR - For the uncommon good: Your Letchworth contributor's letter from Mrs Louise Keeble supporting a few Clothall Common residents' attempt to save a temporary vacant plot of land from housing development and has obviously not visited the area.

Clothall Common has a ring road which by virtue of good planning has some eight or nine spokes of wide tree planted green areas all radiating to the centre where lo and behold, there are acres of open green land which also includes a fenced off children's play area, and large enough to satisfy more than just those residents of Clothall Common. Your correspondent seemed to be unaware that the small plot in question is on the east side of Clothall and certainly too far away to be convenient for those living in the town of Baldock.

The estate was built on a progressive basis and this particular plot was always designed for completing the project, it should come as no surprise to any Clothall resident, particularly those late intruders to our space. What we appear to be hearing are objections from one or two dog walkers who cannot be bothered to use the amazing amount of green space already available.

The plot of land in question is worth some £2-£2.5 million pounds towards the further development of Baldock to the benefit of all the Baldock/Clothall residents. Baldock has for far too long been the poor relation in the NHDC area and desperately needs to catch up with our Letchworth and Hitchin neighbours. If this development did not go ahead, then infinitely more ecologically important land would have to be used.

With apologies to the late Winston Churchill, this is a question of the many being taken to task by the few. In truth are we not seeing nimbyism?

J PARKER

Baldock