There are 18,000 new houses planned for Swindon between now and 2016, plus an additional 24,000 homes between 2016 and 2026.

This adds up to 42,000 houses to be built in and around Swindon over the next 21 years.

It does not take a mathematical genius to realise that there is not enough room in Swindon for this scale of development and so it must go outwards into the green areas around Swindon and also into all the neighbouring towns and parishes.

Is this what the people of north Wiltshire want? Is this what the people of Swindon want?

Who is proposing this enormous accelerated growth in our region? Surely not people who represent us in local government that have been democratically elected in by us? No, these proposals have been submitted by the South West Regional Assembly an unelected body in Taunton.

This is not democracy and should not be allowed.

The Wiltshire Strategic Board representing every public body in Wiltshire has already suggested that these regional proposals should be taken back to the drawing board. If we do not stand up and object now while we still have a voice, it will be too late.

So I urge you to write with your views before February 18 to Forward Planning at Swindon Council. Information and response forms are available from libraries and from the council itself.

GEORGINA MASON

Vowley View

Wootton Bassett