LETTER: Vital ingredients in planning ahead

1. Brownfield sites and derelict building sites would cause minimum loss of our farmland and countryside.

2. Whatever is built ought to include most or all of these considerations:

a) Solar power

b) Heat exchange

c) Double glazing

d) Soakaways to put rainwater back into the ground (and reduce run-off)

e) Built-in rainwater butts

f) Judicious tree-planting

g) Green/park areas with trees, open spaces and ‘wild meadow’ areas

h) Schools, local shops, usual amenities of course

i) Very varied housing on each site, including small and larger buildings

j) Good public transport

k) Parking areas with ‘figure-8’ concrete ‘paving’ to allow rain to percolate; this could be used on drives too

3. Common-sense and consideration for the future above profit.

GILLIAN SMITH

Blacksmiths Close, Ashington