BY WHAT right do the self-selecting members of the small 'protest brigade' claim to represent the many thousands of us who don't try to influence council meetings by waving banners and heckling the people who can more legally claim to represent us by having been elected to do so -the councillors?

The system of first-past-the-post is not perfect but at least it is better then mob rule.

There has been a long and hard fight to give citizens the right to contribute to Council debates and it would be a shame if we allow the level of debate to descend to that of the bear garden we see in the Commons at Prime Minister's Question Time.

I trust steps will be taken to have a more orderly debate this week in the full council.

I note that the committee did in fact vote to amend the size of the marina (which will in fact be nil if the experts' survey suggests that it could significantly affect the beach) and the heights of the buildings, two of the main objections.

It is time some reality was injected into the debate. We are given to understand that the state of the Pavilion and the ferry terminal means that to do nothing is not an option.

For the Council to fund the necessary changes and include the multifarious hair-brained suggestions - a swimming pool (with the best free natural swimming pool right next door!), a much larger theatre (for once in a decade major production!), etc. etc. - would land the council with a huge debt or us with a huge increase in council tax.

The answer in this modern world is let a developer find the money and take the strain. However, developers are not charities and to provide the amenities we need they also have to include money-making items to recoup their investments.

Howard Holdings produced the best plan according to the opinions of those of us who were prepared to express an opinion at the initial public survey - vehicles completely separated from pedestrians, a plaza with seating areas, an extended pier walk if the marina is acceptable, a suitable theatre, good class hotel with conference facilities, a much improved ferry terminal and a World Heritage Centre.

It's a pity it so under-estimated its costings, but don't all developers do this in order to win a contract? Take note of Wembley, the Dome, the Millennium Stadium and now the 2012 Olympics.

The pier is no place for 'affordable housing'. Smart Alecs out to make a killing will buy them and sell on at a huge profit. Howard Holdings must be made to build that elsewhere in the borough preferably before the Pavilion project is finished.

Being a bit of a left-winger all my life I have no particular love of big business or the super rich, but I would rather have many fewer, but far more luxurious, apartments to attract the super rich, and one reserved parking place per apartment would then release more spaces for the public.

Their contract must make it clear they have no veto on anything taking place on the pier, be it rock festivals, markets or whatever the council may devise.

They can shut themselves in their superior sound-proofed apartments and enjoy the view or admire their luxury yachts in the marina.

Let's have some of their often unearned money to help us get what we want on the pier!

Ken Milward Spa Avenue Weymouth