LETTER: Garden cities: a serious matter

The government wants to build some Garden cities, and is selecting a number of places for more houses under a plan to help the housing crisis and to have more affordable housing.

This is a serious matter, as we are creating some awful developments in our country. I can only say these are just going to create more mental health and depression within our population – developers don’t know what health and well-being is.

We are seeing an increase in self-harming in 11- to 17-year-olds, and bed blocking with people who have mental health issues. Some dramatic action is needed.

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We will be having fewer people employed in the future with technology growing rapidly, therefore we need a different way for housing people.

We have had low interest rates in order that the housing market keeps active, I believe interest rates should not have been allowed to get where they are now, they should be 6 per cent on savings, with borrowing at 10 per cent or 12 per cent for business. Now there could be thousands of repossessions if rates go up ever more; to save all the heartache, we need to rethink the housing issues.

We should not be covering good green fields with awful estates. On a large new development start with say 10 acres in the middle, then build a tiering system where everyone can look out onto green spaces, also have a sports pitch so residents can watch a match, and also include a self sufficient garden/ farm (which will need to be managed in a proper way).

Every village in the nation should have to take 20/ 25 houses under the trust plan; villages are becoming old people dormitories. There used to be cricket and football teams in every village, but not any more – bring back village life, and a farming community. Rent the land and employ the developers to build what is needed, not what they want to build to sell for the benefit of the company.

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On another point may I ask why we are inviting Chinese companies to make wooden houses here, when we can do that ourselves? I am seeing a company next week that does just that. We could have steel-framed buildings helping the steel industry,and timber panels for new homes. May I invite readers to visit my website, www.campaign-for-change.co.uk, where you will find a link to housing, care and pensions. If anyone is interested, to suggest methods to change the way we house and care for people or standing in the county council elections in May, please get in touch at [email protected]

Cllr Laurence Keeley

Fairfield

Herstmonceux