IT has been good to see Swindon Council's response to the likelihood that the University of Bath will pull out of the proposed development at Coate - they have reaffirmed their previously stated provision that no development will occur there unless the university is present.

That's the good news - the bad news is that we've been here before.

In the 1990s the council made strong declarations that Coate was safe from development. They reneged on those promises and, while I have greater trust in the present regime than the previous one, we cannot feel secure unless they put some action into their words.

There is a possible way forward - the Richard Jefferies Society is willing to look after the land if it can buy it, at agricultural rates.

Unfortunately, it does not have the resources at present.

Would it not be possible for there to be some sort of co-operative venture? For example, the council could buy the land and lease it back to the Richard Jefferies Society, with a covenant on the land protecting it from future development.

Almost 30,000 people have signed the petition (and are continuing to do so) requesting a 1km buffer zone around the country park. Even half a kilometre would give it protection. What better way for the council to safeguard this vital and much-loved area for future generations?

C N BARRY.

Swindon