I have read with interest the ­latest submission from the Harbour Hotels group justifying the overdevelopment of the Tides Reach Hotel at South Sands.

It argues that without ­building 10 second homes as part of the development the project is not viable. The numbers certainly look convincing.

It also looks as if it has made a mistake, either in overpaying for the Tides Reach or even in buying it at all – this is not the first false start for the Tides Reach development, after all.

Building second homes to fund a hotel, although a major part of the Harbour Hotel group’s business model, is not the answer at South Sands and if Harbour Hotels cannot make it work without them, maybe the time has come to sell it to someone who can: someone who can create a sensitive and exciting boutique hotel and restaurant – it’s such a great opportunity.

I for one would rather have a delay for the right development than be forced to accept what some are already calling a “monstrous carbuncle”.

Richard Burt,

Combe,

Malborough