'We should be very worried about housing quotas' - Your Letters: September 15

We should be very worried about housing quotas, recently reported in the Star.

At least 500 acres of greenfield and farmland are being “considered” for housing, which I totted up from the article, but this doesn’t include three areas whose sizes weren’t stated.

I’ve searched the internet for acreage of brownfield sites where I live in Shropshire and can’t find a figure, but surely these places should be used first? 

Land is bought by developers and “banked” until the value goes up and they get planning.

Vitally, consideration should be given to the loss of land for our food production.

This doesn’t seem to be important but it should be, even more so as we are falling foul of our extreme weather and lower imports due to other countries’ floods etc, and wars and tariffs.

Of course housing is vital too, but “inclusive” plans must be the answer for the long term.

And dare I say, the temptation to accept chunks of money from developers needs to be resisted in favour of brownfield sites.

Fingers crossed.

R Allen, West Midlands

NOW TAKE ACTION OVER SCOOTERS

Glad to see that the authorities are at last taking action against all the illegal motorbikes that are on the roads. 

Perhaps now they could also take action against the illegal electric scooters that we see daily.

Geoffrey Barlow, Willenhall

FLAGES WILL JUST BECOME TATTY

Two successive issues of the Express & Star contain letters from readers wondering why the current display of flags is not universally welcomed.

Let me offer a couple of thoughts.

Driving around locally, I find a zebra crossing where some patriot has considered it appropriate to daub a red cross on each white stripe, thereby placing the English national flag where it will be covered in skidmarks.

Ours not to reason why. A traffic island, with already difficult lines of sight for some drivers entering, has been decorated with a fine array of flags to obscure vision and make crashes more likely.

Now let's turn to the news. Some diligent journalists have done a bit of digging to find out who is leading this rash of flag-planting. 

At least two of the individuals are to be found on social media ridiculously wearing flags as capes - one the English flag and the other the United Kingdom's flag.

I'm already a bit dubious about this "vexillophilia".

And I'll venture a little prophecy - that these flags will be left on lampposts for months as they become increasingly tatty.

Alan Harrison, Bloxwich

BUY UP READY FOR EASTER RIGHT NOW

With the end of the year racing towards us it's never too early to plan ahead for those festive breaks, so why not buy those Easter presents now and save money?

But are you stuck as to what to buy a gentleman of advancing years? Then look no further than some of the exciting offers available from myself and Uncle Norbert through our company, Grumpy Granpas Very Limited.

For a mere £150.99 we offer Expando Colonel Bogey Trousers, built for the occasion when four pieces of bread pudding and thick custard is just not enough. By pressing the secret button in the left hand pocket the waistline will increase by four inches. Batteries not included.

For a mere £120.99 we offer a polite way to let guests know they have outstayed their welcome. These specially designed Deputy Dawg pyjamas are just the ticket, with the back of the jimjams jacket lighting up with the message, "Haven't You People Got Homes?" batteries not included.

Anyone spending over £271.97 will get a free box of 20 batteries. For Health and Safety reasons the tamper proof box can only be opened with two batteries. Batteries not included.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

THE CURMUDGEON HAS MELLOWED!

Will the real Roger Watts stand up? For years this leftie curmudgeon spouted vitriol about anyone slightly right of Trotsky and I raged (in the comfort of my own home) at his views. Now, he has written, so far, two letters that contain nothing contentious. His latest missive about women's rugby promoted only one worrying thought - of all that female muscle charging towards me.

Trevor Howard, Wolverhampton

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