As Hythe born and bred, I agree with opinions expressed by Bob Bunn and Rechenda Smith (Letters, February 25).

What still remains within the Hythe Conservation Area must be preserved, and any new development must be sympathetic.

The Hythe has always been work-orientated, and I’m pleased Ms Smith has been able to find herself a niche within the huge residential scheme.

To give credit where credit is due, in 2005 the council initiated a programme of researching Hythe history – in order to understand the area when it came to making planning decisions.

I responded to a newspaper appeal for information because I had many memories to tell and, as an amateur family historian, I had created my own personal file on the Hythe.

I lived in a row of three cottages, which used to stand to the left of Harbour House, on Hythe Quay. All had survived the 1884 earthquake.

The cottages could still be standing, had the will and finances been there to keep them, but (yet more) flats stand on the site today.

The Hythe has been everchanging and change will continue, but I just hope the council planners are respecting the history. I am not holding my breath.

Heather A Johnson
Capel Road
Colchester