Help save Bristol's Dundry before it disappears forever

RON Morton, chairman of Shortwood Green Belt Campaign, must be congratulated ("Thanks for spelling out details of expansion plan", Open Lines, November 4), together with the Post, for bringing attention to the media once again regarding the Government's plans for extensive urban extensions on green belt land by showing the scale of houses (1,800) proposed on the aerial photograph at Locking.

Dundry was mentioned in Ron's letter. We are a small and spread out parish with approximately 690 residents. If the Government has its way, it proposes to build 9,500 high-density homes (50 homes per hectare; this, on the scale of Locking, is almost five times in size).

We will lose our identity and will become known as The New Town of Yanley. Dundry will be no more! So Dundry, once renowned for her beautiful slopes, the well established golf course – which has a beauty of its own that has taken the staff more than 10 years to establish – and the green fields which are green belt will be lost forever in a concrete jungle.

The swathe of green belt land that goes from the A370 to the A38 and creeping into the lower slopes of Dundry separates the town from the countryside. It is our gateway to Bristol.

Our wonderful green belt gives pleasure to both town and country dwellers. Just a little way out from Bristol and you can be in another world free from the hustle and bustle of life; you can enjoy pleasant walks, relax, breathe clean, fresh air, see an abundance of wildlife, many of which are rare species, and become one with nature. Do we want to lose something as precious as this?

The very essence of the green belt is her permanence, and it should only be used in exceptional circumstances. It is our heritage to be passed down from generation to generation. Once it is taken away it can never be replaced; eventually there will be no green belt in the UK. We must fight to retain our green belt status!

Prince Charles (The Sun, November 4) asks the readers to help him to save the rainforests Yes, we must fight for this cause, this is on a much grander scale, but with respect, come on Prince Charles – please help us fight for your country's green belt.

There is very little of it in the South West. In fact, there is very little of it in the UK. Not very many of your subjects will be able to visit the rainforests, but with your help, they will be able to visit and enjoy green belt sites, providing we can convince the Government that it must protect and preserve the green belt status.

People from Dundry, together with those from Shortwood and Siston/ Warmley, went to London on October 7 and listened in awe as 20 MPs of all persuasions decried and condemned the Government's plans to build on the green belt, especially when there are plenty of other sites available, not to mention empty or derelict properties that can be renovated.

The Prime Minister himself told us in a speech that he would robustly defend the green belt. Can he now demonstrate that he is a man of his word, and by using his office put a stop to the outrageous desecration of our rural countryside?

The local authorities, together with local people, must be consulted on any major changes the Government wants to enforce. If large developments are required, let local people decide where they are to go, not Westminster.

Our message to the Government – your plans are unwanted, unsustainable and without infrastructure.

We live in a democracy not a dictatorship!

Debbie Nicholls, Dundry Residents Action Group (DRAG).