SIR – Geoff Ackroyd (Herts Advertiser, November 5) from his leafy rural corner of Harpenden seems to support the idea of 300 new houses at the other end of town because, if not there, then where? One might start by questioning the desirability of much of

SIR - Geoff Ackroyd (Herts Advertiser, November 5) from his leafy rural corner of Harpenden seems to support the idea of 300 new houses at the other end of town because, if not there, then where? One might start by questioning the desirability of much of the EERA-driven plans for further major developments in the crowded south east. That aside, I suspect the Harpenden town site could accommodate a good number of modest starter homes by careful infill; but apparently the planners have no way of persuading the developers, looking to profitability, that is what is needed! So, as noted many times before, when building plots do become available what appears are large "executive homes" - a very inefficient use of the land and of little use to those hoping to get on the housing ladder.

One must hope that on larger-scale developments, such as of the old Westfield allotments site (essentially agreed some years ago), there's a more sensible use of the land. Meanwhile the overall aim should be to keep Harpenden's overall "envelope" the same as now and so avoiding straying into the Green Belt.

JOHN DAVIS

Fairmead Avenue, Harpenden