Alex Gath, of Belle Vue Road, Kingsbridge, writes:

For 30 years I have remained astonished that one of the most attractive sites in Kingsbridge, round the quay, has remained as nothing more than a cash cow for South Hams Council. More recently it has also become a through road to our sports centre and a cruising strip for the town’s petrol-heads.

In my view, this land is the single biggest asset in the town, the development of which could secure its prosperity and vitality for many years to come. It is a piece of waterfront land that would be the envy of many towns across the nation.

An appropriate, well-­considered and possibly phased mixed-use development of tapas or cicchetti bars, bistros and restaurants, accommodation, which is vital to the town, and yes, parking provision, that would link the town slipway, sports centre, the home and ­visitors’ pontoons and the bus station with the centre of town, the square and our fabulous main street, could make a ­significant difference.

It is wide enough for ­traditionally proportioned buildings, a wide esplanade for pedestrians and food lovers, together with a single row of perpendicular parking. There is no need for luxury apartments – I would suggest homes for the town’s younger generation is the priority. It is an opportunity to enhance our town for the benefit of all.

Of course, we all have ­opinions and a right to express them, but are folk really that content with its imaginative use of tarmac and exciting speed humps that it should be ­preserved – really?

However, I am not sure what depresses me most about our prestigious car park: the lack of ambition for the site for decades, or the cost of £76,000 of taxpayers’ money for a detached team to put some ideas on paper to promote discussion, debate and constructive critique.

There is enough superb expertise and committee-clever folk within the community in this town and its surrounding parishes, from designers, ­planners and engineers to ­contractors, business minds and investors, who could work collaboratively and contribute in various ways.

Not so long ago, projects that affected the public realm would be put out to a fee-free competition with the ‘owner’ providing a professional site survey and any relevant information for a design to be formulated. Submissions would be exhibited and comments invited.

Perhaps these are the ­ramblings of an old man who has spent too long helping folk resolve problems and not ­looking for them.