THE Cotswold Water Park is a wonderful facility which we are lucky to have.

The last few years have seen an incredible amount of development including holiday homes, wildlife preserves and outdoor activity facilities and there is no sign of it slowing down.

All this serves to make the Water Park and the Cotswolds more attractive and enjoyable.

But the only way to ensure the future of this tranquil environment is to improve the harmony between visitors and residents who have lived in the area for years.

Conflicts like the recent unpleasantness involving the footpaths around Lakes 103, 103A and 104 near Fairford will only create resentment between residents and developers, which will in turn extend towards visitors.

Cygnet Investments insist all of its action is above board and that they are simply protecting their investment.

But it is surely unnecessary for the company to call police to report suspicious activity on individuals out walking their dogs.

All these ridiculous measures Cygnet is taking seems to be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

CCTV cameras scrutinising dog walkers on country paths around a lake seems to smack a little too much of 1984 - indeed George Orwell's Big Brother only planted listening devices in the countryside.

Are they really that paranoid they believe dog walkers are doing any damage in the first place?

This has proved to be a bone of contention for residents of Fairford and the protest walk on Saturday will highlight how strongly they feel they have the right to use the land.

Something many of them have done for years.