Look to derelict land for new estates

Why must we build on our precious green spaces?

In this age of technology – in which many young people live their lives through artificial means, with virtual friends and creating virtual worlds – surely the need for parks and open land is more important than ever.

Much of the area where I live used to be coal mines but now there is parkland. And that means that people can walk their dogs and have family days out. There’s even a festival at one of these areas.

Parks bring us fresh air, as

well as spaces for children to play. These are places where we can all experience the varying seasons.

Councils must not be allowed to take these from us.

A lot of council money seems to go on junkets – what the politicians want for themselves, not for the people.

And when they sell off land it’s never clear what that money is going to go towards.

More than ten years ago, in Sunderland, an estate was demolished and has never been built on since.

I have to wonder why, if new properties are in such high demand, has this area been forgotten about by the council?

They don’t seem to be interested in protecting the environment for future generations.

Before the politicians ruin this green and pleasant land, surely they should look to sites like this, where buildings have been pulled down, as locations to build much-needed homes.

After all, how would they like it if the parks near their homes were to disappear? T. Byron, Sunderland