Clearing up the battle over Battlemead

In response to Deborah Mason's letter and her rather unnecessary sarcastic remarks (Viewpoint, November 5) I feel I must clarify my position on Battlemead and correct her misunderstanding.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that Battlemead Common was purchased by the RBWM as a public open space.

Public means for the benefit of all including people wishing to walk enjoying views and people wishing to exercise their dog.

I have had many residents say that they feel ‘locked out’ of the area or they ask ‘when will it open’?

The council needs to consider all aspects of the land, which is why they have spent a considerable amount of time and money commissioning a leading firm of ecologists to evaluate the area and guide on the best way forward.

We need to find a balance between the needs of all the residents of the Borough, who after all paid for the land, and the needs of the wildlife.

In the latest revision of the masterplan, 60 per cent of the land has been reserved for wildlife and will not be accessed by visitors.

The remaining areas will be left to grow and will have mown paths to reduce impact.

We are extremely lucky that Battlemead sits in an area surrounded by thousands of acres of pasture, private gardens, fields, waterways and woods including and not forgetting a large National Trust nature reserve and the 375 acre Cliveden Estate on the opposite bank of the Thames.

Only a small percentage of this land can be accessed by the public but of course it can all be accessed by birds choosing to settle there.

We need to consider the environment but we need to consider the residents too.

Cllr GREG JONES Conservative, Riverside