YOUR article “Millions more for houses” (February 29) concerns me. Where will the proposed 1,357 homes be built?

Can the housing minister assure us that Green Belt land will not be used? Our countryside is precious to us and is surely an escape from the “concrete jungle” we are forced to live in.

Once these green sites are lost this leisure pursuit will be denied us; also, what about the cost to the wildlife which we all enjoy?

Future generations may never experience walking along a tree-lined path breathing in the cleaner air provided by this environment. They deserve more than traffic fumes and tarmacadam!

I propose that the millions available be used to implement an effective, reliable transport system, which this area badly needs! Then perhaps the daily gridlock on our roads and subsequent dire consequences locally would be alleviated. Common sense?

Peter Ellis

Kirkheaton

Not a sunny outlook

IT IS snowing at the moment, but I pray it will not settle as last time my window and door were bombarded with snowballs from teatime to late evening. That was not childsplay, but was vindictiveness.

On Saturday night I heard something hit my window, but as I was on my own I did not go to see what was happening. On Sunday, my Mother’s Day surprise when I opened my curtains was clumps of mud on my window.

On going out to clean this off I noticed both side mirrors of our car were broken off. Thank you to the scum of Meltham’s Sunny Heys area. You made my day. I hope your mother had a good one. You should feel really proud of your actions.

Down Hearted

Putting assets at risk

DID you read about how this Government is putting some British assets at risk by using some Government-owned (therefore taxpayer-owned) buildings as collateral in a scheme where those of the Islamic faith will be able to borrow money for mortgages or whatever without paying interest, as Islamic law demands. Last year the then Economic Secretary, Kitty Usher, said on this subject: “The Government was determined to do everything we can to deliver greater opportunities for British Muslims.”

Wouldn't it be great if these facilities were also offered to the rest of the population, of whatever creed or religion? One thing for sure is that if this is a Government plan you can bet your Cuban-heeled boots it will cost the taxpayer a lot of money. Not so long ago Gordon Brown promised us a country fairer to all. How about delivering this Mr Brown?

J Armitage

Crosland Moor

Blowers in the barn

READING John Denham’s account of him celebrating his parties in the past (Senior Moment). I couldn’t help wondering when he recalled having a party in a barn and having to bring in blowers to heat everyone.

Was it before or after his wife was in on the Save the Planet bandwagon? That wasn’t very good for global warming was it?

Margaret Brooke

Shelley

Cowcliffe and Ochre Hole

COLIN Vause’s letter Memorable Milestone (March 1) triggered my memory about the top of Cowcliffe Hill Road, known locally as “Okerole” (Ochre Hole) before the houses in the vicinity were built. There was also an ancient milestone on which Fartown was spelled Firtown.

I went to see it and talked to a few long-standing mature residents. They informed me that only recently it was removed, believed to be for a museum. They also said it dated from the times when Fixby was under Halifax’s administration.

I wonder is any reader could give me more light on it?

Tony Sosna

Huddersfield