Evidence of floods at proposed site (From Gazette Series)

Evidence of floods at proposed site

SIR - Last week you published two letters from correspondents, who do not live in Berkeley, recommending that a proposed massive housing development should go ahead there.

Berkeley residents were accused of being NIMBYs. Well if we cannot look after our own backyards, why should anyone else?

Over the ten-year period until 2001 Berkeley's population increased in size at five times the rate as the whole of the Stroud district. We have had more than our fair share of development. Furthermore, in spite of this increase of 20 per cent, there has been no notable improvement in public services and house prices have certainly not become more affordable.

Berkeley is an attractive place to live precisely because it is a relatively small community. A further increase in its size would destroy the very reason people wish to live here.

Finally, turning to the comment that the proposed site has not flooded, I attach a photograph of the lower part of it under water.

John Stanton Chairman ABRAID (Association of Berkeley Residents Against Insensitive Development) c/o Canon House Canonbury Street Berkeley