Relentless building is not the answer
Tim Leunig has engaged in his annual onslaught on green belt and greenfield sites (Inside Housing, 30 October 2009 and 15 January). Sadly, it clouds the real housing issues. Millions of pounds have been spent on various agencies to decide where and when new housing should go.
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No doubt this may include some green belt revisions at the same time as discouraging urban sprawl and preserving the heritage that other sites offer. It will, however, be a measured response after considering all the factors involved and not the build, build, build syndrome advocated by Mr Leunig.
It is unfortunate that Mr Leunig limits his examples to London and the south east. There are many examples of housing problems west of Surbiton and north of Watford. Inside Housing draws attention to serious problems with empty housing and estates in need of regeneration (Inside Housing, 30 October).
These issues cannot be kicked into touch as suggested by Mr Leunig due to potential lack of funding. This is where the real hardship and wastage is found and it will continue with the corresponding social unrest until it is tackled by public housing agencies with, one hopes, the help of a more enlightened private sector.
Appropriate new build is certainly a part of the answer. Young entrepreneurs will no doubt continue to solve their own housing needs and those of others with buy to let. Ironically, many have bought up housing that developers could not sell. Perhaps a warning against Mr Leunig’s laissez-faire attitude.
Tony Paxton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire