I have a great deal of sympathy and support for the groups opposed to still more developments of high rise flats, like the ones proposed for the site of the former college in Carnarvon Road, Southend.

There is already a high level of vacant property within Southend.

I have noticed, particularly when I travel by bus, a large number of retail shops which appear to have vacant flats above.

Some of these flats may be used for storage and others may lack convenient access, but surely there must be many suitable for tenants.

The last thing I want to see is Southend as another Canary Wharf, Manhattan or Singapore with hardly a blade of grass to be seen.

David Dearle
Chalfont Close
Leigh