SIR You print yet another letter citing the alleged merits of a marina and demanding more consultation.

SIR - You print yet another letter citing the alleged merits of a marina and demanding more consultation. (Marina: Public views should be asked for, Herald, April 5)No council can pursue a major development without proper technical evaluations, and those cost money. East Devon District Council has refused to put money into a technical study of the marina plan, for very good and practical reasons. It has opted instead for a proper planning brief for the area involved (which will also cost money). When it appears, it will go out for consultation.Meanwhile, those who hanker for a real marina have some questions to face. Who will pay for the regular dredging that yachts bigger than dinghies will need for access? How will the destruction of beaches and pollution of nearby land be prevented? (Look at Axmouth and Exmouth for example.) Do we really want a fifth to a quarter of the main beach lost to oil, tat, forgotten trailers and abandoned boats? Marinas need hard-standing (for boats coming and going by land) of a quarter of the area for mooring; where would this go? Most marina users drive to their boats. Where would their 100 or more cars be put? How will a marina be protected against the known severity of gales and seas, occurring in all seasons?A modest safe haven with a short pier, for tour boats especially, is not as daft an idea as a marina. But can we please avoid calling this very different animal a marina?Name and address supplied