Youth worker Stephen Griffith, Ahmed Faid and Jesse Ndjeka, who are campaigning to save the football pitch at Bernard Park 

• YOUR report on Barnard Park gives a completely false and one-sided picture (Last-ditch bid to save pitch, March 17).

This is not a case of a few residents wanting a “village green” and depriving the “kids from the estates”. A class-warfare tone is as unwarranted as it is unpleasant.

Most residents have consistently called for the continuing mixed use of the park for people of all ages. This includes, I believe, the Friends of Barnard Park.

The option many locals strongly oppose is the introduction of something totally new – the last-minute campaign, despite the outcome of long consultations, for a full-sized, all-weather football pitch for organised users, with night-time lights and (presumably inevitably) bookings and charges.

In short, a mini-Mackenzie Road site that would dominate the park and greatly restrict all informal use while favouring just one interest.

Contrary to one opinion you quote, those who are out and about are noticeably not fat, but they need room for sports and games. They have never had and do not need a professional football pitch in this quite small green space.

PETER ROBB
N1