Should we build houses on the Green Belt?

COMMUNITIES Secretary Sajid Javid has reportedly told councils they have to increase house-building by up to 40 per cent over the next decade (Mail). But what this country desperately needs is fewer people, not more houses to blight our precious Green Belt. BRYAN CHALKER, Bath. THE population is increasing due to annual net migration of 248,000 and the fact that people are living longer. Where do we expect the younger generation and migrants to live? According to those protesting about thousands of homes being built in the leafiest areas, they certainly do not want them in their backyard. While we would all like to live in a Miss Marple-style village, this is no longer possible because of the actions of successive governments. Theresa May promised this will be a country that works for everyone, not just the few, so this burden must be shared by those in rural areas. ROBERT J. EVANS, Birmingham. THE report about government pressure for housing in Epping Forest showed a plan for 5,000 additional homes, but the actual proposal is for more than 11,000. Areas believed to be more wealthy are being punished by imposing an irrational number of homes without regard to need, infrastructure or environment. Sajid Javid may go down as the minister who destroyed the Green Belt. ANDREW SMITH, Epping, Essex. MY VILLAGE has a population of 2,600 and we are being threatened by a development of 180 new houses. Our infrastructure can’t cope with this, but it appears that the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework overrides all protest. Why aren’t they supporting housing associations instead of promoting overpriced houses? ANNE WOOLFE, Biddenden, Kent.