Sir – Regarding your article Big Threat To Green Belt and in particular how the arguments presented are applicable to the current core strategy process being carried out by West Oxfordshire District Council with regard to a proposed strategic housing site at Carterton.

It is clear that there is misunderstanding about the key drivers of development in the countryside. That the main issues are: l Need — There is no doubt that we need to build houses to meet future demand —but not at the inflated rate suggested by Government. These targets account for natural growth and also for in-migration to the area. Where are these extra people coming from and where are the jobs and infrastructure to support them?

l New houses — Your article states “nobody knows the size of builders’ landbanks” — but we do know that nationally builders are sitting on five-seven years’ worth of approved sites, but choosing not to develop them. House building is not meeting the levels of five years ago because there is not the easy access to finance any more.

This money fuelled builders and developers to flood the market with houses and facilitated buyers to buy houses they could not afford (120 per cent mortgages), second properties and a buy-to-let market.

l Sustainable location — Planners must consider the environmental issues (Green Belt and urban sprawl), social issues (impact of traffic and flooding on communities) and economic issues (location of jobs and a suitable infrastructure) before deciding on the location, if necessary, of any strategic site.

At present, neither WODC nor Carterton Town Council have addressed these issues in the consultation and are being influenced by developers’ hollow promises and their seductive artists’ impressions.

The residents of West Oxfordshire want the right number of houses, in the right place, at the right price. WODC take note!

Andrew Garbutt, Alvescot