I am very concerned about this threat to the Halesowen Green Belt. I came to Halesowen in 1978 to work as a junior doctor at the General Hospital in Birmingham. I was born and bred in Greater London and remember very well going to view the house we now live in on Priory Road off Manor Lane. Two things really impressed me about this house. The beautiful natural back garden with lovely mature trees and shrubs, an oak tree in the front garden and then driving down Manor Lane and as you went down the hill the beautiful vista of open country greeted your gaze, with the Clent Hills in the near distance. Too many times I had to turn left for work rather than head for that open country which was so inspiring and uplifting. I knew my wife would love it and brought her to see it and she was enthralled and we have been ever since. I subsequently got a Consultant job at City Hospital where I worked for many years.

Man is not a natural urban dweller. He originated in the forests and the countryside. Urbanisation has had many downsides. It is vital that the confinement of urban living is relieved by access to the green and pleasant land that most of us love so well. We need to be the guardians of the very precious Green Belt. it is where we go to breathe less polluted air, to exercise, to relax and make ourselves whole again. It is very tempting to nibble away at this asset but that would start us on the road to ruin. The introduction of the concept of the Green Belt was a thoroughly brilliant inspirational idea. Those introducing it had vision and foresight. It is one of the UKs treasures along with our National Parks and the Coastal Path. If we create a precedent and start invading it, a chain reaction of further development is a distinct possibility until the land is covered with concrete.

From talking to neighbours and friends I know my view is widely held. Yes we need more homes but land that is not green belt needs to be utilised to the fullest extent. There is also concern about the haphazard so-called consultation ending on the 8th September. People should have been informed about this by a leaflet through every door of every resident in Halesowen. This should have set out what the consultation was about, where and who could answer questions with contact numbers and e-mail addresses. All people have had is the front page of a Halesowen News giving a very rough idea on what is happening. Not everybody can access the Internet and the Dudley website is not particularly user friendly. Some folk found a questionnaire and they have complained to me that the whole thing seemed biased with one question making it difficult to express an opposing view.

In summary the Green belt was established for a noble purpose and it becomes more important to our society every day that passes. My wife and I feel it should be sacrosanct and fully respected. We are totally opposed to any prospect of its development.

With kind regards, Ken and Gwen Taylor. 1,Priory Road.