Sir.-For 30 years our family have enjoyed walking the grounds of Park Prewett. We often met patients who also enjoyed the grounds, many who said they felt safe there.

Some, sadly, were not aware of their surroundings, but they were not in danger and were quickly located by the nursing staff.

As "Care in the Community" seemed not to be working, it was with great sadness that I first heard that the land was to be sold.

A suggestion was made that with its situation and layout, the land would have been ideal for a university complex. However, houses were built. Now Mr Prescott wants even more homes built on what is left of this precious land.

Now that the opportunity has been missed, maybe the development proposed for Mandydown could still accommodate a university to enhance the status of the town. I do hope that Councillor George Hood will think of surroundings as well as houses when he and his associates plan the Park Prewett development.

The old golf course could be turned into a country park to provide some essential open space, which will be vital in an area where a large number of houses will be built.

It is good to hear that affordable homes will be built for nurses, teachers and police, but I see no mention of homes for the elderly. Even the aforementioned councillors might need them one day.

-Mrs J S West, Elmwood Way, Basingstoke.