SIR I have followed the marina debate closely from the start.

SIR - I have followed the marina debate closely from the start. The grounds on which the scheme should be rejected are accumulating steadily and commercial interests supporting the scheme need to be treated with reserve. In particular, the idea that a marina could be viable without any road access is laughable. So is the quite empty promise (on the website) that no additional pressure on parking spaces will arise. Wherever the proposed pedestrian zone ends will be a madhouse of cars and trailers. Almost every aspect of the scheme is open to a serious objection of the same kind.A properly funded and professionally designed development brief is necessary, commissioned and paid for by the relevant councils, providing the basis for competitive tendering. The whole idea is naturally popular, but a scheme that will neither fail nor seriously disrupt the town needs far more careful preparatory work than it seems to be getting at the moment.John PearceNewlands CloseSidmouth