CHRISTCHURCH is set to be swamped, not by the inevitable threat of global warming and sea-level rise, but the tide of new housing development.

The latest consultation Local Plan has just been published by Christchurch planners. It makes a disturbing read for all residents in our lovely town. There was a time when local councils and Westminster worked together to produce an acceptable vision for the future based on the aspirations of local communities and recognition of the constraints imposed by infrastructure and the natural environment. There was an attempt to provide balance and sustainability. Unfortunately, this vision approach has vanished, with Westminster appearing to operate a random top-down system of targets for the NHS, welfare, education and planning.

Housing is a key issue on the political agenda and every local planning authority is “expected” to meet demanding targets when planning future housing allocations for their area.

In the past we built new towns and expanded existing communities in suitable locations. Today it seems a shotgun approach. Christchurch with its beautiful historic buildings and natural environment, its rivers and green flood plains presents local planners with a near impossible Rubik’s Cube – how to provide all these new houses in suitable locations where infrastructure and services can be provided, traffic dealt with, but without destroying our remarkable town forever.

I recommend you readers to look at this new plan. With Roeshot Hill soon to come onstream, there could (will) be more major developments at Burton on Green Belt, Stony Lane and the town centre etc. I am worried about the future with or without Brexit.

CLIFFORD WHEELER, Roeshot Crescent, Christchurch