I HAVE every sympathy with Steve Nobbs and his concerns for Waterhall (The Argus, Monday 20).

Since 1994 I have walked my dogs (just two) on and around the golf course and seen quite a few changes to the landscape. Like one of Steve's friends I have mental health problems and up until the closure of the course had it under control. It was an area where I could put my problems to one side and enjoy watching my dogs run free.

The golf course was closed by the Labour council (no doubt with the help of the Greens) purely on political grounds although I fully expect that to be denied by the people involved.

As a golf course it was well maintained with a wide diversity of habitat. Short grass on the fairways, tees and greens and with semi-rough and rough elsewhere.

Now it is a complete mess with no real diversity. In the past I have counted as many as 100 pied wagtails feeding on the short grass of the 6th fairway. They, like the fairway have gone.

The deer population has massively decreased, and I haven't seen an adder for two years. Admittedly the deer numbers have decreased because of the large influx of dogs but in the past they hid in the wooded areas and surrounding farmland.

Last year's population of marbled white butterflies was very poor and I haven't had to rescue frogs and toads from the footgolf holes for quite a while. No doubt the cows will find the footgolf holes that remain unfilled in. As for the flora they are still quite prolific but will soon be swamped by ragwort which is establishing a strong hold in certain areas.

Councillor Jamie Lloyd complains about the amount of dog excrement in the area. I respectfully suggest he speaks to the persons responsible for removing every waste bin from the golf course and just leaving three bins in the car park area.

This has also led to rather more litter - empty cans, crisp packets etc - being left lying around. While I agree with him that the large commercial dog walking companies have made the situation worse the same cannot be said of the smaller businesses or the public dog owners.

With regards to the cattle and the GPS system (again I agree with Steve) it is a stupid idea. I have been told by several farmers that dogs should be on the lead around sheep but off the lead around cattle. Cows are notoriously nosey creatures and are attracted to dogs. Most accidents concerning cows and dog walkers are mainly caused because the dogs have been close to their owners. I have witnessed what happens when cows surround someone with a dog on a lead and it is not a pretty experience.

When the Abergavenny estate donated the land to the council it was with the proviso that Brighton's public had access to it in perpetuity. No doubt the council will deny this or ensure that the proviso will be ignored. The four anti-dog letters in Tuesday's Argus will no doubt be used to say that many people agree with this council's ideas.

Perhaps on Dr Mead's next tour of Waterhall he can arrange for everyone to be put on leads thus curtailing their enjoyment. The council are anti-dog (and anti-cars) and have made Stanmer Park too expensive to regularly walk dogs there so where else is available? The Green Party want us to enjoy the countryside but only on their terms.

At the end of the day the council, renowned for consulting the public and ignoring their views, will do what they please. Look how they shut down the bowling greens in Preston Park and the closure of the King Alfred tennis courts (without consultation ).The council's environment, transport and sustainability committee will do as they are told by their chairperson who has rose-tinted glasses and tunnel vision.

There is absolutely no way to deal with fanatics and come out on top.

Hilary Barker

Eldred Avenue

Brighton