I, LIKE many others, was appalled at the heathland fire at St Catherine’s Hill.

For many reasons now heathland fires have become commonplace within the conurbation and on frequent occasions arson is the cause of the fires.

Several years ago Natural England (previously English Nature) introduced a 400 metre barrier from the edge of all heathland sites to prevent the majority of residential development taking place within that barrier.

The principal reasoning behind this is to reduce the exercising of dogs on the heathland when increased new housing takes place.

When this was introduced, all developers (regardless of the distance from the heathland) had to make a sizeable financial contribution to Natural England towards the heathland protection.

So please can someone explain why this huge ‘pot of gold’ has not gone towards the wardening of the heathlands for their protection?

DAVID OUSEY Ryan Close, Ferndown