THIS letter is in response to Cllr Marion Pope's appeal for local people to petition against the building of much- needed new homes (Letters, March 10).

Cllr Pope's ward of Merley and Bearwood is comprised mainly of properties built in the 1970s/80s, the majority of which were built on what was then agricultural land, as was most of the housing in parts of Broadstone, Corfe Mullen and Wimborne. The majority of the newer part of Canford Heath was built in the 1980s on heath land.

My family moved to the Allenview Road area of Wimborne in the early 70s, Bridleway at Colehill in the late 70s, both on agricultural land, and Canford Heath in the mid 80s. If today's attitudes had held sway in the 70s and 80s our three homes would not have been built.

I would suggest it is unfair to live in homes built on green belt land and campaign to prevent others from doing so in the future. I am sure most of those being asked to sign this and similar petitions have children and grandchildren; where do they think they will be able to live and raise their families?

To campaign and vote against these homes would once have been described as an "I'm all right Jack" attitude, and I hope some of those tempted to sign think before supporting them.

M Draper

Howarth Road, Wimborne