Sir – West Oxfordshire District Council is trying to push through plans to build at least 700 new houses to the east of Carterton adjacent to the RAF airfield.

This is in the parish of Brize Norton and threatens to unite Carterton with this ancient village, listed in the Domesday Book.

I wonder if the council members have considered the many disadvantages of this site — in particular for those buying these houses. Would they like to live there? It seems bizarre to build homes in an area blighted by severe noise pollution (see official ‘noise maps’ provided by the base). The main maintenance facility for the RAF’s biggest airport is a mere 600m from the proposed housing. Noise from revving engines funnels between the hangars, exacerbated by the prevailing wind. Complaints from local residents have increased enormously since the Hercules arrived. Light pollution is another significant factor, especially as maintenance is carried out at night. The bright lights will be clearly visible.

The wind brings the unpleasant smell and oily residue from aviation fuel, which leaves glass covered in a thin layer of oil that is almost impossible to remove. The proposed area is bounded on three sides by industrial sites, two of which are MoD land with high fences and barbed wire; surely this smacks more of a concentration camp than a “sustainable development” which should provide pleasant housing within easy reach of schools and shops.

The industrial area to the west lies directly on the route that secondary children would need to walk to get to the school, situated on the west of the town. They would need to walk up to two kilometres and some parents would probably drive their children there, increasing traffic into the town unnecessarily.

Miranda French, Brize Norton