Housing growth in the countryside

Times

August 05, 2003

Housing growth in the countryside

From the Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance

Sir, The news that 200,000 new houses are to be built in the South East (reports, July 31) gives rise to a complex situation. Problems of affordable housing and an ever-burgeoning population will not be solved by treating the countryside as nothing more than a pretty vista, there to be enjoyed by middle-class commuters who will not tolerate any change that would affect the value of their homes.

Development is necessary, but we cannot see the rise of the dormitory town used only as a break from the city. The countryside is its communities: any development must foster real communities with real jobs in rural areas, not be the author of its downfall.

Yours, etc,
RICHARD BURGE,
Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance,
367 Kennington Road, SE11 4PT.
July 31.

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