Lost countryside

hAS it not occurred to planners that many of these greenfield sites where they want to build new houses are working farms?

Living in the countryside, it is depressing to see more homes springing up on what used to be productive land.

The majority are not affordable for local families and the roads, schools and GP surgeries can’t cope with the overbearing increase in the population.

We are not all Nimbys — some of us have the foresight to realise that with an ever- increasing population, we need to increase food production or become ever more reliant on imports.

J. HoWARTH, Barnstaple, Devon. BReXIT must come as a welcome relief for farmers. No more interference from Brussels through the maddening Common Agricultural Policy.

This country could become selfsufficient in root crops, wheat and dairy products. Let’s go for it!

JoHN McBAIN, Witney, oxon. CRITICISM of the RSPB trapping crows and foxes (Mail) shows the naivety and ignorance of townies. They assume all creatures are cuddly. how many of them have seen a hen coop decimated and lambs with their throats torn out by a fox? Farmers face losing their livelihood when their cattle are infected with TB by badgers.

Country people have looked after wildlife for generations and do not need interference by do-gooders.

B. BEAuMoNT, Cumbria.