Extra housing is no use without infrastructure
SIR – Nigel Henson (Letters, October 4) is wrong in his assertion that “betterquality, more attractive housing” would put an end to nimbyism.
Of greater concern to most communities is the fact that so few developments take account of the resultant pressures on local schools, surgeries and other public services.
These should be considered as essentials, not “possibles” – as they usually are by developers led by financial interests, rather than the wellbeing of the community. Liz Edmunds
Hassocks, West Sussex
SIR – East Anglia, as we all know, is the driest part of this country.
I wonder if the councils here ever really consider whether there is enough water to supply the fast development happening, and the 30,000 or so more houses that are proposed for the area. The Environment Agency and water companies say nothing.
Cambridgeshire has no reservoirs, only groundwater. Nobody knows how much water there is below ground. Three rivers feed into the Cam or Rhee – the Hoffer Brook, Shep and Mel. For the past seven years, my stretch of the Hoffer Brook has been below summer level in April (it was even lower this year). The natural springs have been pumped dry.
Despite this, it seems the authorities will not do anything until it is no longer possible to float a punt along the Backs in Cambridge. W D Bannister
Royston, Hertfordshire
SIR – While we welcome the Prime Minister’s plan to provide additional funding for affordable housing, there should be a wider strategy to embed housing right at the top of the policy agenda – and not just on days when big announcements are made.
One way to achieve this would be to recognise the housing minister as a key figure in the Government by giving them a seat in Cabinet. It is in the national interest that housing remains a top priority, with the political heft needed to drive progress.
In addition, with our construction industry relying heavily on workers from the EU, it is crucial that their position is secure. We need to ensure that the industry has the capacity to build these much-needed new homes. Justin Gaze
Joint Head, Residential Development Knight Frank
London W1