It's food for thought...

The need to protect Britain's best and most versatile farmland became downgraded as a reason for resisting development during the 1980s and 1990s, when it seemed the country could rely on limitless food imports from an abundant world.

That is now seen to be an illusion, with growing concerns about food prices and security.

Whatever other arguments there may be for building, or not building, on the Chalcraft Lane land, this reason alone should rule out development.

The proposals are being promoted by the Church Commissioners, who would presumably acknowledge that, while man cannot live by bread alone, the bread is still pretty important.

John Beard, Lucerne Court, Aldwick