I WAS shocked to read the views of Emma Tatlow from Visit Lincolnshire (June 28) regarding the proposed racecourse on Lincoln's West Common.

The reason the vast majority of residents are opposed to the plan is that we fear that our beautiful and much-loved common will disappear under concrete and new buildings.

It beggars belief that the person responsible for promoting rural Lincolnshire as a tourist destination should think building on our public green spaces is a sensible idea.

Have a racecourse anywhere you like – just don't build it on top of this valuable community resource.

Once it's gone, it can never come back.

Vicky Ashberry West End, Lincoln.

I am a massive horse-lover so, in that respect, I would love the racecourse to come back – but not at the expense of our common.

Go down there any evening, especially in the summer, but also in the winter, and you will see how much it is used.

Fifty or so horses are out grazing, being groomed, ridden or fed, footballers are playing games, people are out walking their dogs, cyclists, people having picnics or just sitting chatting, people are playing cricket or tennis.

I walk on the common most evenings and feel that, even though it would be fun to go to the races in Lincoln, is it really worth taking the pleasure of the common away from all the locals who enjoy it on a regular daily basis?

The races are not going to be that regular and will cause an awful lot of problems with traffic.

Lindsay Abbas Lincoln.

I am so delighted that people are questioning the suggestion that we bring back racing on West Common.

Which other city has such a fine view as you drive along the common, with the lovely row of trees by the side of the road and the Cathedral on top of the hill?

I would hate the thought of thousands of cars coming to the city and having a park-and-ride in this area.

It would cost an enormous amount to install and I suspect that most of the facilities for people at the races would come in from outside.

We are so lucky to have a common for people to be able to walk across with their dogs and graze their horses.

Where else can you see barn owls and peregrine falcons flying and find rare flowering plants?

I am sure people from other cities envy Lincoln people having such a wonderful place to explore free of charge. Don't let's spoil it, please.

Ann Yeates-Langley Lincoln.