Backbench Conservatives are not the only people concerned about government policy on planning for housing in England (Theresa May urged to force councils to build more homes, 4 September). Millions are concerned at the increasing environmental damage and lack of attention to real need by successive governments. Even building lots more homes would just add a tiny percentage to housing stock, with no discernible effect on prices in a very fluid market. The crying needs are for social housing and to move jobs away from overheated areas to places that have both homes and people needing employment.
But since the Treasury commandeered planning 15 years ago, we have seen a gathering tide of unsustainable sprawl weakening the country’s ability to produce food and water and its resilience to flooding. The government should start trying to balance the country’s economic, housing and social needs via effective regional policy. In planning it should reintroduce brownfield-first and stop allowing developers to squander our precious housing land on profitable but destructive low-density greenfield sprawl. And it should stop forcing major developments remote from rail networks, increasing car dependency and greenhouse gas emissions.
Jon Reeds
Smart Growth UK
• Here in the High Peak, we are watching our villages being spoilt by plans to build thousands of houses on green fields. Yes, we need houses, but not three- and four-bedroom detached ones (which presumably maximise developer profits). Such housing is not suitable for those struggling to get on the housing ladder, nor are they future-proof in terms of sustainability.
We are leaving a toxic legacy for the future – the loss of green fields, added flood risk, additional nitrogen oxide emissions, and traffic congestion – while not meeting the needs of those at the bottom of the housing ladder. We need to build, but first using derelict buildings and brownfield sites. We have brilliant architects and planners, who could produce sustainable housing – why do we have to put up with little boxes devouring green fields with no thought of present and future needs. Well done TV presenter Kevin McCloud (TV presenter aims to build 600 homes via £50m bond scheme, 4 September). Would that his ideas could be replicated nationwide.
Lorrie Marchington
Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
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