SUE PUDDUCK, of Wood Lane, Kingswear, writes

The letter from Melinda Smallwood, Chronicle, August 21, illustrates how the playground group, although very well meaning, has failed to thoroughly investigate if a second playground is really essential in Kingswear.

Throughout the discussions, the group has emphasised that the playground is needed on Jubilee Park, particularly for small children and mainly to make it easier for people to walk to a playground.

The figure quoted of 125 children living in Kingswear, taken from the census, includes young people up to age 16. It also includes all the children living in Greenway, Hillhead, Coleton and outlying areas, none of whom could walk to the new site.

Basing their proposal on 125 children is flawed and there is no evidence of need.

There are fewer than 10 children aged up to 11 years old living in the village and building a second playground for them, not only seems a waste of money but also is a detrimental use of a green space.