Residents far from satisfied

I attended the virtual environmental conference convened by local MP Gillian Keegan. I have since read her account in the Observer (Opinion, July 1).

She gives the impression that she is on top of the threatening salutation posed by inadequate infrastructure and unbridled housing development pressures. But it was clear to me from attending that she is far from on top of the situation.

What did become clear was the inability of the system created by central government in recent years to address these challenges.

Broadly, the private water company is obliged to attempt to take all the waste dished out by new developments but lacks time and investment to do it, and it appears the Environment Agency is unable to effectively monitor, and regulate the loss of habitat and biodiversity caused by new developments and those recently built.

The questions appearing on the ‘chat room’ made it clear to me that participants were far from satisfied by the replies given by our MP and the representatives of the agencies and water company.

What was most exasperating for me was our MP’S expressed belief that speculative builders who have monopolies on land banks will address the needs of the homeless and those priced out of the housing market.

The straightforward way to address these pressing local needs is to allow and resource local councils to build truly affordable housing.

The proposed further ‘reforms’ to the planning system will tilt the balance even further away from local democracy and in favour of the volume market house builders, who will continue to make eye-watering profits on their activities whilst shredding the distinctiveness of our district’s settlements and the settings that make them such a wonderful corner of England.

DICK PRATT Bosham Lane, Bosham