Don't destroy our eco system for sake of housing

Thatcher’s policy was to build on every piece of spare land; this has culminated in one of the largest losses of wild life in the country’s history.

Contrary to popular belief these pieces of land held most of the countries wild flowers, these in turn nourished the bee and insect population, including butterflies and moths.

Many of these areas held small ponds which helped the toad, frog, newt and dragon fly populations. They where intensely used as watering holes by migrating birds and many of our local residents. Much of this loss of our native wildlife has never recovered, nor will it.

The result of the housing boom was followed in 1991 by the biggest recession in living memory, it lasted for seven years.

Not only did the wildlife suffer, but Britain lost most of its top craft workers in this recession, thousand went out of business never to restart, many becoming entrenched in debt.

Now the Conservative Government has created a land grab for Green land everywhere in the country including Bolton. This has to be one of the most serious situations as a nation we have had to face, especially with the influx of so many people. It shows clearly that politicians have learned nothing from the past.

Builders have to lay out money for land often several years in advance, as and when it becomes available. Even if they buy land it does not mean they can automatically build on it. Many applications are refused. Add this to the building trade going up and down with economy it is little wonder it is so difficult to get good trades men.

We need to build, houses but this government fails to recognise the destruction it is doing to our wild life. We live in the ridicules situation where you cannot touch an adder or a bat unless you have a licence, owing to it being a protected species, but you can destroy its habitat. Like the Amazon jungle, once our eco systems are destroyed, they are gone forever.

Peter German

Highfield Road

Farnworth.