I WRITE with reference to the letter "Nimbies can't compete with the power of money" in last week's Packet.

Having attended the recent council meeting, I for one firmly believe the recreation ground will now be saved from the developers who think they can make "money talk." Why should our elected councillors give in to a scheme that has more questions than answers? Why should we allow the communistic approach where a few dictate to the masses? To hell with them!

With over 5,000 Falmothians signed up against any development of the recreation ground and an overwhelming 11-1 majority provided by our councillors, what would happen if, having been invited to make a decision, these hard statistics were ignored because somebody wanted to make a few million quid? As previously pointed out mayor Varney and his fellow councillors would instantly become a joke in a sideshow! Everybody who voted at the elections would have wasted their time!

Councillor Dr David Sterratt would then be in total control of the council because he was the only one who voted in favour of building between 80 and 150 houses (some affordable) on the "rec." Can that be right?

Once again the people of Falmouth have stood up magnificently to the threat of losing a public open space that belongs to the people because they purchased it back in 1936 through rates via the former Falmouth corporation. Carrick DC have failed to look after it and the rugby club have ignored their repairing lease. In less than two years it will be handed back to Falmouth town council and no doubt they will maximise this terrific facility.

The "Save the Rec" campaign are clearly in it for the duration and I congratulate them for once again rising to the occasion. They must be encouraged by the fact that several previous applications to develop the "rec" have failed. When Carrick chief planning officer Derek Ballard wrote his damning refusal in 1993 by stating "The proposed development, if permitted, would result in the loss of an open space in a densely built up part of the town contrary to Policy H16 of the Cornwall Structure Plan First Alteration which seeks to safeguard open spaces which contribute to the recreational and environmental amenity of an area." That surely sums it up.

I am sorry that "name and address supplied" is unhappy about developments in Penryn but the Falmouth recreation ground is something I cannot picture with 150 houses/flats on. Indeed if it did happen then democracy in our country, which we were proudly brought up to believe in, is no longer.

M Andrews, Trescobeas Road, Falmouth