AS a rate-payer I was astonished to hear of the council’s ill-thought-out ideas now circulating for the yacht club site.

I assume this is “finance-led” – goodness knows where their advice comes from.

Consider this. The scheme which involves Canada Dock – a small inlet adjacent to the Byrhtnoth statue - which is to be dug out and filled with sand to form a beach.

Don’t they realise this inlet daily receives silt deposits which benefit our seabirds?

Siltation is a real problem all along this part of the river. The “beach” will rapidly get covered over and disappear.

Basildon Council tried the same cranky experiment several years ago in Wat Tyler Park. Now conveniently forgotten, the sand is below two feet of glucky mud.

Maldon’s idea will waste thousands of pounds.

The yacht club site is on filled land now safely covered with soil and grass over many decades. If the surface becomes disturbed by building and drainage I foresee all manner of issues arising about building upon contaminated land.

Soil reports and remedial works can break all budgets.

Further, it should be noted the dinghy park is an established carbon sink area. Beach hut development, parking and paved areas will destroy this environmental resource.

Maldon should not entertain this anti-social thinking by a local council.

The beach huts and toilet block will be situated in an exposed area susceptible to vandalism and yob behaviour, including alcoholism and drug use.

The council has already experienced serious vandalism to its nearby bird hide.

The public purse should not have to pay for property adventures of this kind.

If it must have more beach huts, it should be put in a more secure area located between the main park and model boat lake.

There is plenty of waterfront to do this and let the yacht club stay where it is.

We should bear in mind that with the ever-increasing housing development involving new people coming into the area, a facility such as the dinghy club is an excellent community attraction, but not beach huts in that location.

Angela Allen

Lambourne Grove, Maldon