Leave our lovely estate in peace

I became aware today, by accident, that the land at the junction of Buckingham Drive, Soar Valley Way, Great Central Way and Franklyn Road, in Aylestone, is to be sold off to developers by the council.

Now call me a sceptic if you wish, but somehow I doubt these developers will be turning this land into a community area that is geared up for the pleasure of the surrounding residents.

I suspect there is only one of three possibilities:

1) Another housing estate with, of course, the usual percentage of affordable housing for housing association tenants (that is, single parents).

2) An industrial estate that will very soon become a noise nuisance and tip.

3) A travellers' site, of which enough said.

I have lived in Buckingham Drive for more than five years and this is the first I have heard about these intentions.

I was aware there were plans in the 90s for a road, and also the remote possibility of a football pitch, but that is all.

These ideas were, I believe, shelved years ago.

I would suggest that before the council goes ahead with this sale, they publish exactly what plans would be acceptable to them from any prospective developers?

This way residents could raise their objections prior to any sale and possibly save the council money in costs.

I am very happy living in this part of Aylestone.

I have great neighbours and it is very peaceful and quiet at night. No rowdy parties or through traffic.

I suspect that all the residents of this estate would love to leave it as it is.

I would be happy to hear of any responses to this.

J Dexter, Aylestone.

With the advent of political police commissioners and their impact on the police/magistrate/justice system, I have been giving some thought to the onerous declarations that are required of magistrates on taking up their office.

One that particularly caught my attention was that raised by the question put to all magistrates, namely: "Is there in your or your family's life, anything which if became known, would bring your and the reputation of the magistracy councils into disrepute?"

This thought engendered another question, which was that as county, borough and parish councillors make comparably equally important and far-reaching decisions on behalf of the public, should a similar question be put to them?

Bearing in mind all the recent expulsions, resignations, demotions and Standards Board for England findings and rulings on councillors, I suggest the following proposal should be put on the documents that councillors sign on being elected.

It could say: "Is there in yours or your family's life, anything which if became known, would bring your and the reputation of this council into disrepute and if there is, you must resign and submit yourself for re-election?"

JF Collins, Groby.

"If you're worried that we're going to sell off the NHS or create some American-style private system, we will not do that. In this country, we have the most wonderful precious institution. I will never put that at risk."

So said David Cameron in June 2011.

Why then is Leicester City clinical commissioning group proposing to spend £40,000 of our money to send 12 doctors and health workers to learn further about the US healthcare market?

The American health system is well-known for providing expensive privatised treatment for the rich, while millions who have no insurance have to rely on substandard care or, in some cases, no care.

Is this what we want from the NHS? We all have cause to be very concerned.

Phil Harvey, Leicester.

It was with great interest that I read Tony Hipgrave's column about the increased outsourcing of social care ("The cared for now reliant on whistleblowers", Mercury, February 15).

Many of the private sector staff he talks about are likely to be paid minimum wages and may even be on zero-hour contracts.

Leicester Child Poverty Commission recommends a living wage of £7.45 per hour to enable parents to have the dignity of earning enough to be able to support their families.

The use of zero-hour contracts should also be deplored. How can anyone have financial independence if they do not know if they have work from one day to the next?

The outsourcing of public sector jobs seems to result in employees being treated in a way that should not happen in the 21st century.

Sarah Maynard Smith, Rothley.