UNLIKE H Jackson of Morecambe (Letters last week) I could believe my eyes when I read that MAC Construction is to build 400 new houses in Heysham.

It was only a matter of time before this outrageous scheme got the go-ahead.

MAC Construction allowed planning permission to expire and should not now be allowed to build on green belt land, especially, as H Jackson points out, this will only increase traffic problems in the area.

The main reason this scheme was given the go-ahead is that it will pave the way for community facilities to be built to 'benefit Heysham as a whole', as quoted by Cllr Jean Yates.

These facilities include a skate park and a full size all weather sports pitch to be built immediately behind homes on Douglas Drive. I, for one, cannot see any benefit.

There is already a sports pitch at Douglas Park which is rarely used and a skate park will only attract youths, bringing noise, litter, graffiti and general anti social behaviour with them. I do not object in principle but feel they should be built at a reasonable distance from homes.

I know I am not alone in these thoughts as 54 other households took the time to write to the council with objections, I have been informed by the council that one wrote in support of the scheme.

These facilities will bring misery to the lives of residents as well as destroying the little green open space we have left.

The phrase 'benefit Heysham as a whole' should read 'benefit the residents of Mossgate Park' although I'm sure if they were asked a skate park would not be required by the majority.

The only person I can see to benefit from this scheme is Malcolm Townsend of MAC Construction, I'm sure his bank balance will increase as residents see the value of their homes drop.

Mandy Smith, Heysham.