Huge eyesores

My family delighted in walking amongst them, enjoying their beautiful, scenic openness and abundant wildlife. We had simply found a local paradise which we could walk to!

At 52 years of age, almost a quarter century on, I can climb the two- metre high clay bund to look into the depressingly grey and bleak industrial wasteland of the most recently ash-filled Radley Lake.

I sadly remember its former open, wetland beauty and find it incredulous that anyone could ever have conceived such a travesty for Radley's Lakes. But where corporate profits are concerned, I have learnt not to be surprised. A clay bund up to five metres in height will enclose and line Thrupp Lake, if RWE npower are granted another huge environmental impact ash dump. So, in 20 years' time, after compromising yet more floodplain area, ruining its present abundant wildlife habitat and making it a shadow of its former self, I most likely will not be able to stagger to the top with my walking stick at 72 years of age to see this depressing sight.

What I would prefer is the current openness and scenic beauty of the lakes from the Sustrans cycleway that any elderly residents, couples with young children and wheelchair users can easily access and enjoy. Our community have enjoyed the well-being these lakes provide for half a century and are owed these lakes by npower as compensation for their degradation, bunding and fencing of vast areas and creating huge eyesores which the local community detest.

The only people who are happy with the proposals are those who are going to make a profit. The majority of local people are definitely not happy.

Jo Cartmell (Mrs), Abingdon