SIR – Malcolm Balmforth is correct in his assertion that building houses in the area of Denholme would be lunacy (T&A, April 8).

It must also be said that the Government’s whole planning strategy is lunacy.

We have been told that Bradford needs 45,000 new homes, and due to financial considerations, many developments will be built on green belt land.

The Government’s recent planning legislation was originally sold that it would protect green belt, but we are now seeing it is delivering exactly the opposite.

We passionately believe that green belt land should be protected at all costs, and that the whole planning process should be opened up, giving local people the ability to call local referenda on controversial local developments.

The reason the eroding of our green belt is taking place is because we have allowed the eroding of our local democracy.

The people will he heard!

Jason Smith, UKIP Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury