I am a Southend United supporter and so from the prospective of it being good for the Blues, I support the development of a new stadium at Fossetts Farm (Jan 15).

However, as a resident of Southend, I am dissatisfied with the facilities and shopping opportunities of this town.

We lag behind all of our neighbours - Basildon, Chelmsford, Lakeside.

When I need to go shopping I automatically go to other towns, because Southend is so antiquated compared to the others.

We are no longer the flagship town of Essex and, with one of the biggest populations, more must be done to bring us kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

If Southend Council doesn't rule in favour of the new development, then in my opinion that is just advertising the lack of ambition of our council in making us competitive than other Essex towns.

I find myself getting niggled by the objectors to the stadium, who obviously live near to the proposed site. Did they not have a problem with Waitrose, the sports centre, or the Wellesley Hospital when they were built?

Could it be that they presumably would not be using the new ground and so it won't be of benefit to them?

Donna Fillary
Coniston
Southend