No say for local people on farmland housing

sir – I have been a member of Bremhill parish council for 15 years, during which time we have seen one developer-led building project take over 10 years. Another was in the 2016 local plan, and the developer is yet to lay a brick. Brownfield sites are bought but not developed: they are just added to vast land banks while prices rise.

Developers manage the rate of house-building: it has little to do with the current planning regulations. Why would they want to “build, build, build”? It is not in their interests to flood the market with houses, as this will bring prices down.

Since 2012, neighbourhood plans have allowed parish councils to play a role in development. Now, however, these will be discarded and the new laws will dictate where building takes place, with little public consultation.

The imposition of large developments on farmland is not sustainable and will remove local people from the process, as well as deterring young people from returning to rural areas.

Ian James

Woodborough, Wiltshire

sir – I was delighted to hear that local stone will be used for new housing (report, August 9). As a former local councillor and planning-committee member, I have advocated this.

Here we have a wonderful golden carrstone, still quarried in Snettisham, and, despite opposition from fellow council members, I managed to get developers to use it for house walls. My finest hour was persuading architects for the new Lidl to include it in their plan. Just a little nod to the local vernacular can improve the most boring design.

Avril Wright

Snettisham, Norfolk