IN answer to Dr Gary Vanstones' letter in last week's Times (April 3) — the answer is yes, most people do care about their towns and villages, it's those in authority that do not.

They are using the countryside as a dumping ground, and a way for cheaper developments.

Too much Grade One and Two agricultural land is being lost to the development and industrialisation of the countryside.

Local authorities are, as we know, strapped for cash, most are capped by central government, therefore the only way to increase their income is to accept the hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds offered to them by developers.

Why the countryside? Do most people not live in the large towns and cities?

If we need hundreds of thousands of houses, why not build them there? A starting point might be to renovate the million plus houses we have that are derelict.

Look at Okehampton for example, 900 houses being built, with a further (I think) 300 in the offing. Has there been a massive population explosion we weren't told about?

It's good to hear of a possible business park, which may employ up to 150, being built, but if at least one person per household is to seek a job you don't need to be a mathematician to see a shortfall. We in North Tawton are about to see a minor version of this scenario.

Building houses on green land for cheapness with no infrastructure to accompany it, jobs social activities, etc, is a recipe for disaster.

The local income that may be derived from it will be lost to larger towns where dwellers may look for work.

North Tawton may soon be facing a planning application for a 150 acre solar farm, Eco Park, once again on Grade One land.

Every acre of food producing land lost, means more lorries travelling from country to country to make up the loss, as we can only produce 60% of our food, things can only get worse, how eco friendly is that?

Phrases like carbon footprint go out the window, and we wonder why food is expensive.

If these solar parks are so eco-friendly why not put in an application to build one in Hyde Park? Or does the sun not shine in London anymore?

May I make a suggestion — instead of the Government giving millions even billions of pounds in subsidies to developers, give every house free solar panels. This doesn't need any extra land and may even be cheaper!

Steve Whiteley

North Tawton

I COMPLETELY agree with Dr Gary Vanstone (Letters, April 3) that wind turbines are ugly and damage the local area both visually and financially.

They are selfishly installed with complete disregard to their neighbours only because of the generous subsidies, and to add insult to injury do not forget we all contribute to these subsidies.

All possible effort should be made to stop any further such monstrosities being constructed.

David Bagshall.

Grindhill Farm

Okehampton