John Poole, of Haldon Cross, Higher Ashton, writes:

I am concerned about our seemingly entrenched view to sell the Shaldon Ferry boathouse to a private individual with apparently somewhat dubious intentions, completely ignoring the enormous support for the Shaldon Regatta bid.

The chairman's implied statement that we cannot be concerned about the safety of disabled children in the sale of this property is completely and politically unsound. The Teign Conservative Executive of seven would be knowingly committing political suicide to endorse the use of the building for the disabled, which is not fit for purpose and extremely dangerous for its proposed use.

Councillors Lambert, Fusco and Mathews expressed deep concern about the safety and suitability of the private purchase bid. Access to the ferry boathouse via Riverside is impossible with a minibus because of the narrow street; other parking is a long way away; access over the beach with wheelchairs is impossible; the launching of boats is only possible on high tides; and most important of all this is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous areas of the Teign estuary with exceedingly fast running tides and an overcrowded mooring of boats.

From personal experience, having sailed and canoed some of the most dangerous waters in the world, this is a dangerous place for an able-bodied person and potentially life-threatening for the disabled. With my experience, having my own 21ft boat outside the workshop, I too have found myself in life-threatening situations.

Several years ago a Teignmouth councillor stated he did not want the town overrun by the disabled and more recently a north Devon councillor stated the disabled should be put down. Both councillors lost their jobs when the national press got involved. The sale of this property for the use of the disabled, knowingly being aware of the dangers, is paramount to saying we do not care about the deaths of the most vulnerable in our society. All we care about is money...

Why does the purchaser, who wishes to remain anonymous, want this property when his preferred option is Polly Steps? I would suspect for his personal gain for future development, having gained a valuable site under the cloak of the disabled. Restricted covenants, whether registered or not, are a waste of time. The council rarely enforces covenants because of the tremendous litigation costs and uncertaintly of the outcome.

I realise we are a party who have to make tough decisions in these difficult times. However, we cannot be seen as a party interested only in money, having complete and utter disregard for the community and safety of the disabled. We would be committing political suicide to continue this route.

I am sure the intention of the Local Community Act was to secure such assets for the community. Torquay has already set a good example giving away assets to the community. The regatta's bid of £100,000 – mainly provided by the private sector – would be lost if they were not successful.

I therefore urge you to reconsider our position, support the regatta, the community and safeguard the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.MORE LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION