SIR — I expect my comments to be very controversial but nevertheless I feel that I should express them. Why is it when there is to be some radical change in our society that it is all very well as long as it is not in my (our) back yard. There is a great

SIR - I expect my comments to be very controversial but nevertheless I feel that I should express them.

Why is it when there is to be some radical change in our society that it is all very well as long as it is not in my (our) back yard.

There is a great need of more housing nationwide, especially affordable housing to accommodate the people in the service and building industries who are not so well rewarded as many of us and yet upon whose efforts we all depend.

Since the explosive development of Harpenden since the Second World War ceased, we have found that so many young couples have had to leave Harpenden and reside north of us because the community is a far too expensive one in which to live.

Our local council is asking us to protest about the proposed development of a piece of land north of Bloomfield Road and bordering Cooters End Lane.

I am very surprised that it has taken so long for this plot to have come forward for development which I thought would have taken place long ago.

All over Harpenden there are various good developments taking place and many very bad ones where beautiful houses are being destroyed and being replaced by some very much bigger on sites much too small for them.

We have not been asked to protest about such ridiculous developments.

Since 1946 I have witnessed farmland being taken over by the Wimpy estates at the top of Piggottshill Lane bordering the Wheathampstead Road and the fields and orchard which now make up the Barnsdene and Claygate Avenue Estate, the large development known as the Cross Farm Estate, Pickford Hill and Porters Hill, the Batford estate and the continuous development of Tuffnells Way and the Wood End area which no-one ever appears to protest about as it continually encroaches northward upon the builder's own farmland and many small plots of land which were used to graze cattle or horses.

All these developments have helped to make Harpenden the prosperous community we enjoy.

Do we not want to share it with a few more people and help to house the many who wish to have a home of their own?

When all the developments I have mentioned took place, the question of schools and water supply was never brought into the equation; everything automatically dropped into place as it will again if the development which I fully support take place.

Unfortunately our county council have seen fit to close and sell the site of the Wheathampstead Senior School which accommodated children from Wheathampstead, Sandridge and Kimpton.The children have to now attend the schools in Harpenden.

How short-sighted our county council are or are they hard up, wanting to realise a large capital sum from the site?

Let us support this proposed development with the proviso that considerable affordable housing will be included.

GEOFF ACKROYD

Hammonds End, Harpenden