Haven’t seen the ‘smog’ in area

In response to Robert Bishop’s letter (‘Please don’t use a burning stove’, January 28) I wanted to clarify a couple of points with him.

Firstly he suggests that people with stoves in his area are merely being used as a fashion statement. Does he know this to be true? Has he considered that perhaps, with families and children at home at the moment, having the central heating running all day throughout the house is very expensive? And lighting a wood burner can actually help heat the house during the day and save money?

Also, as far as I am aware, the government guidance is that if you are at home there is no need to ventilate your house by opening windows as you can’t have anyone from another household inside?

Therefore, surely his windows, in the middle of this cold time of year, are OK to remain shut?

Thirdly, I actually do live near Mr Bishop but haven’t experienced the ‘smog’ atmosphere he has. Which means one of us is exaggerating.

I would invite him round to sit by the fire and discuss further but we know that is not allowed. And how shocking that I would use my wood burner in winter? Outrageous.

ABISMITH Broomfield Drive Billingshurst

(or maybe once in a hundred years) of flood and the new developed area will teem with an abundance of wildlife, with virtually no carbon emission or air pollution.

Perhaps it is not all the council’s fault, as they may have been duped into a deal?

I lament the degradation of our air quality, the increase of lung related disease and lack of accountability to the public from our elected representatives.

Should we continue to vote as we always have either because the alternatives may be worse or because we are simply complacent?

I would never be surprised for a suggestion to be put that money could be saved by not holding an election, because either this part or that will be returned.

There is no longer anyone in a position to deal with the towns people’s interest.

Unfortunately, the town is unparished and those elected to its councils, who serve its residents extremely well, are viewed as naught by Horsham District Council.

Just look at the additional amount flowing into the council’s coffers with the ‘special’ charge.

Simply multiply the amount by the number of properties in the town area and it comes to a mighty large amount, only a pittance of which is spent in the areas, whereas if they were parished, then they would only raise the amount necessary to carry out work mandated by its residents and they would have to be accountable at the parish meetings - none of this ‘it doesn’t relate to the agenda or you have no right to speak’.

Democracy is frightening, isn’t it? Anyway, watch the development at Rookwood and to follow on Chesworth Farm, Horsham Park and St Leonards Forest.

Crawley will have more than enough open space for us to be able to forest bathe. JAMESBROOK Patchings, Horsham