I WAS saddened to hear this week that the Council’s decision last year to refuse planning permission for the construction of a Digital Exchange on a field in Talbot Village has been overturned by the Inspector on appeal.

This is a stepping stone towards the massive proposed development of a light industrial estate on Highmoor Farm, which lies between Talbot Heath and the university.

Highmoor Farm, where cattle and sheep currently graze in green fields, is the last remaining of five farms set up by the philanthropic Talbot sisters in the nineteenth century.

Over the past 180 years much of the 465 acres the sisters owned has gradually been built over with housing and the expanding universities.

The remaining fields are important for many reasons – they form a vital buffer zone, protecting Talbot Heath nature reserve, they provide foraging for wildlife, they have potential for food production, and they are beautiful to look at.

We’ve all heard how vital green spaces are for our health and wellbeing.

Surely they can find ways to fulfill the charitable aims of the Talbot Village Trust without concreting over all the land in their care?

HARRIET STEWART-JONES

Victoria Crescent, Poole