NOTICES are up in Littleport regarding a new hall for the village and people are to be invited to give their views on what they would like and if they think a new hall is needed. It is good that local people are going to be asked their views on local mat

NOTICES are up in Littleport regarding a new hall for the village and people are to be invited to give their views on what they would like and if they think a new hall is needed.

It is good that local people are going to be asked their views on local matters. The notice also states there is some land which could be used for the new hall. I have found out that the land is The Paddocks - one of the few pieces of natural countryside left in Littleport.

This area is home to many wild birds, a fox and, on occasions, deer have been sighted on it, not to mention the different variety of butterflies which can be seen there. If this land is built on, we lose this for ever.

At a meeting several years ago, when the people of Littleport were asked to chose between the playing field or The Paddocks for the site of the new health centre, we were told by the parish council if the playing field was chosen then the paddocks would be left alone.

I had attended the meeting with an open mind and it was this statement which made me decide to vote in favour of the playing fields and I know I was not alone in this decision.

I hope the parish council remember their promise that evening.

This area would change drastically if the hall was built, no doubt more bushes and trees would be cut down.

What would happen to Friars 9? Would this, too, be destroyed in the name of progress? What would happen to the rest of The Paddocks? One shudders at the thought of a car park or even formal gardens replacing the natural countryside which is already there.

If a family centre is needed, could this not be put in the same area as the health centre? There is already a road and facilities laid down.

Surely the tide is now changing and people are beginning to realise what we are losing in the name of development and progress. Enough is enough - Littleport has had its fair share of countryside ripped up; surely a little can be left for the wildlife? I wonder what future generations would prefer to see. Natural countryside or yet more buildings and concrete? Surely future generations deserve better than what is being left for them.

SUSAN GREEN

Limes Close, Littleport