THE Malvern Hills Conservators are to be congratulated on being unmoved by the proposed attempts to relandscape the Beacon and build a cable car to access it.

They are doing precisely what they are meant to do, which is to protect the hills from rapacious businessmen and developers.

There are precious few areas of England left in something approximating their natural state.

Without bodies like the Conservators, the National Trust, the Woodland Trust and various wildlife trusts there probably would not be any, and, for instance, the whole coast of England and Wales would be built up.

The overused word 'progress', which is often used to justify these plans, is inappropriate. It is not progress if it comes at any price, and appropriate progress should be accompanied with intelligent discrimination.

Well done, the Conservators, and long may we protect the few remains of our natural heritage that are still untouched.

Jonathan Lidington

West Malvern