I am horrified by the report in the Evening Advertiser about plans to expand housing to Coate Water and am puzzled about the necessity for it.

If, as Christian Cubitt says, the figures are not statutory then why is the council obliged to accept them? Maurice Fanning says that the 'numbers ... are a government imperative'. What exactly is a government imperative? Is this rule by decree? Is pressure being put on the council to accept the numbers and if so what is it?

M Fryer

Terncliff

Covingham

Swindon