Sir,

It is a great pity that Mr. Barry Newland failed to check his facts before smearing Tenby residents and criticising the National Park ('Rejection of island project short-sighted', last week's Observer).

1. It was not the Civic Society that coined the expression 'Disneyfication'; I did in a personal letter to the town council, and I stick by it.

2. No-one suggested that Lexden Terrace 'owns the views'; they are not even owned by the people of Tenby, but by everyone. St. Catherine's rising from Castle Beach represents one of the most wonderful vistas of Tenby, enjoyed over a wide spread from The Esplanade to Castle Hill. It was the artist Augustus John when describing Tenby who said: "You may travel the world over, but you will find nothing more beautiful." If we chip away at the things that make Tenby special, we risk reducing it to just another seaside town.

3. Everyone that I know is keen to see the fort restored and opened to the public. Many local residents have put pressure upon the authorities and upon the owner over many years to that end. The issue is not one of principle, but of a specific proposal. Many of us felt that the actual plan put forward was simply not good enough for the site or for Tenby. It lacks the visual, ecological and environmental sensitivity needed for this important location.

We have waited long enough to see St. Catherine's brought back to life, don't lets spoil things by jumping at the first proposal.

Douglas Fraser,

Lexden Terrace,

Tenby