ALDERMAN Douglas Eyre may want to live in a “conurbation”. Most of us would rather live in something more human. Bournemouth itself is still a collection of villages that have grown together.

Just because the fields between Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole have largely been built over does not mean that we want to live in Poboch.

All the things that Mr Eyre thinks are solely dependent on Poboch becoming a city – new jobs, transport, even more buildings – can readily be achieved by the three councils talking to each other. Having previously lived for decades in London, I saw no benefit from the sprawling GLC London boroughs. Their borough councils still favour what is nearest to the centres, and the outer areas are left to stagnate. Why should a city council sitting in central offices care about what goes on in west Poole or east Christchurch? Would Ringwood and Lymington be roped in too? Along with Wareham and Wool? This is just one more grand scheme to boost the image of taxpayer-funded public officials. Perhaps Mr Eyre sees himself as the first Lord Mayor of Poboch. Or should that be the Poo-Bah of Poboch?

ERNEST CHIVERS, Imbrecourt, Canford Cliffs