I do not dispute the fact Basildon needs a new swimming pool, but why is Gloucester Park being torn apart for a sports village?

I have completely missed the part where the people of Basildon were canvassed as to their wishes.

Isn’t there irony in the fact that instead of going to your local green and playing, you will have to get a bus or drive a car to open space and pay for the privilege of using it?

In Basildon you will find a mixture of young and old, families, couples, and single people. We all have one thing in common – our desire to enjoy the open space we have without fear of it being stolen or being charged to use it.

Piece by piece, the town that is my home is being spoilt, sold off so that the council can pay for its big ideas that have not been properly thought through.

Why is it the opinions of people who live here no longer mean anything?

Since when has democracy meant the council decides to do something and will do so regardless of anyone’s thoughts or ideas?

We all have opinions and we need to make them known. We have a choice. We can sit back and watch Basildon be destroyed or we can do what we have to do and take action, stand up for us, our homes and lives.

Let’s make our voices heard.

Joanne Carlier
Wickhay
Basildon