Love

With the prospect of an 11,000 strong housing estate being built opposite where I live I felt the need, this week,  to write to my local paper expressing my concern and advising my views on why development on this scale is a bad idea.

Housing is a major problem.  I get that.  More houses are needed for our ever growing population.  I get that too.  But honestly, no one wants the next massive housing estate to be built on their own doorstep.

 My letter to the paper was based on the fact I am opposed to the development on Manydown.   What frustrates me, is that residents of Basingstoke, who have had similar plans drawn up to develop on open fields where they live have fought against their development, but in the process actively promoted Manydown as a substitute site.  The hypocrisy in that makes my blood boil.  I don't want Manydown to be built on but I would never actively promote another site because, you guessed it, that would make ME the hypocrite.  I loathe this "not in my back yard" generation of people. 


I worry about the future for my children. I am resigned to the fact that most, if not all of my own children will be living with me until the end of time because there simply won't be the houses to accommodate them.  Or what houses there are will be far too expensive for young people to buy. 


 I bought my first house when I was 20.  With hindsight I am so glad I did because with house prices the way they are now, I wouldn't be able to afford to get on the housing ladder.   I am now seriously considering buying a second "buy to let" home just so that when my children get older they can rent a house from me, and gain some independence and in a round about way help them to get on the housing ladder.  They need this help from me because I cannot think of anyway they will be able to do it for themselves.  


Mass production of houses, like those that would be built on Manydown will create the homes required.  But will they build schools?  Doctors?  Dentists? Shops? Or will the already faltering public services just have more pressure added to them.  I also concern myself about the drainage systems.  Will they be adequately built or will they all feed into our existing drain system creating a massive surge of shit.  Before you know it you will wake up to the crap of an unknown neighbour gracing your lawn and hoping to christ it doesn't come over your threshold.  Trivial? Maybe.  But with new build developments keeping costs down is the key.   


I am concerned the government are bringing back the "right to buy" in the social housing sector.  I don't understand how decreasing the numbers of houses available to those that really need them is beneficial.  If you are earning enough to buy a house then you should be encouraged to buy from the open market keeping social housing in place for those that need it.  If the "right to buy" scheme is brought back then before you know it social housing will be a thing of the past.  This is not a good idea. 


Perhaps we should look more at regenerating our current housing estates.  Knocking down older houses and building more, nice shiny new ones in estates that already exist is a win/ win for me.  It means that our tired, sometimes run down estates get back a new lease of life, a new sense of pride whilst providing more housing for everyone.  It works and should be encouraged.   Instead our local government want to wipe out the only green fields in the borough and develop, develop, develop.  


But, when all said and done, what do I know?  I'm a mum who is very concerned about the future of her children but, like with most things, you can have an opinion, but those in power have absolutely no interest in what that opinion is.

 I love Manydown.  I will continue to love it as long as there are no houses built on it.  But when the houses come  I simply won't love it anymore.