I ACCEPT that Paul Maiden (In My View, August 4), writing on behalf of the AFC Totton board of trustees, has the right to wave a yellow card at Totton and Eling Town Council for failing to support the current crop of planning applications, one of which would likely result in improved facilities for the club.

Of course, the council was delighted to invite the club to an event to celebrate reaching the FA Vase final. I was one of thousands who enjoyed a great day out at Wembley and sincerely hope that ways can be found to help the club progress still further.

Unfortunately, for every supporter of AFC seeking to wave a yellow card, there will be many more local people waving a red card. Linden Homes is promoting three different planning applications, all linked, but will result in a net loss of green open space for Totton.

The proposals fly in the face of the local plan for Totton, which is designed to help protect the remaining green spaces.

Nobody seems to disagree that Totton is already suffering a shortage of green space, with much of it lost to large housing developments over the past 30 to 40 years.

The view across the political divide on the town council is that we do not wish to support any plans which will enable development on those precious green spaces that remain.

I appreciate the frustration of the club in that it has been negotiating with Linden Homes for some six years now. However, we are concerned here with a decision that will have a significant impact on the quality of life for future generations.

COUNCILLOR DAVID HARRISON, Totton and Eling Town Council.