IN reply to Mike Bawden's statement that we need 16,000 more houses which will have to be built on green field sites we need to look at all the empty properties in Swindon.

These include houses, offices and factories. Many of the offices and factories built at the last expansion have never been let, so under the freedom of information act can he please say how many there are.

We should say no to any expansion and have a discussion on how to put these empty units into use. The houses could be reconditioned and put back into use or demolished and new ones built.

The empty offices and factories could be converted into low cost domestic dwellings.

B BURROWS

Fairlawn

Swindon