CONGRAULATIONS to Royston Smith and the new Conservative team running Southampton City Council for pulling the plug on the laser project, which would have spread light pollution right across the New Forest and elsewhere. This was a turkey if ever there was one!

Next for the chop by an incoming Conservative government is the South East England Development Agency - a regional quango based in Guildford of all places - which was going to waste £250,000 of public money on this ill-judged venture.

On the subject of light pollution, half our population never see the stars in the galaxy in which we live. So why have we been waiting since December 2003 for the promised extension to planning guidance to deal with the problem, and save energy at the same time? The government should publish this important document for consultation without further delay.

SARAH MANTON, Marchwood.