IN the 1960s many of Poole’s historic buildings were demolished to accommodate a regeneration of the town centre.

The town has grown exponentially and 50 years on it appears that there is now insufficient space for the town to grow further.

In its Core Strategy Review consultation paper the council asks ‘Should the town be extended onto the Green Belt?’ specifically the Green Belt at Bearwood and Creekmoor.

The greatest need, it is said, is for more housing, more factories and permanent travellers’ and gypsy sites.

This proposed strategy is not for the next 50 years nor even 25 years but is intended to meet needs for the next 15 years.

So the question should be: ‘If we build on the Green Belt now, what kind of Poole will our children inherit in 2031?’ If the Green Belt has already been developed there would then be no possibility of outwards expansion for the town.

Will the only alternative be to demolish buildings and start building upwards?

MARION POPE

Bearwood

Bournemouth