ON December 26, two letters were printed regarding proposals for new housing developments in the Bolton environs.

In the first, 'Who will benefit', the writer 'Forward Thinker' argues quite rightly against the gouging away of our green and pleasant land.

With so much being written in the national press and also uttered by our politicians regarding the need for starter homes at affordable prices to enable our youngsters some chance. I would have thought brownfield sites an obvious answer.

Even though Bolton born and bred, I have lived just outside its environs for just over 50 years. On tips to Bolton I am amazed. A derelict eyesore, the site of the old Chadwick Street College, still awaits development of affordable homes. And there must be many others, or am I missing something.

Now sadly we come to the second letter under the heading 'Too many courses' under the pseudonym 'North Turton'. This letter give me the impression of being written by a rabid Corbyista. the last time I travelled from the Doffcocker Hotel, westward along Chorley Old Road into Horwich, I passed the golf courses, the Old Links and Horwich Gold Club.

I did not notice any 10 bed mansions unless 'North Turton' is thinking of the Johnson Fold estate. Travelling from the Old Crofters in Bolton, also along the same road into Horwich, there may be a few 10 bed mansions, so what. And indeed there are two more golf courses, Regent's Park and Bolton Golf Club, Lostock. The very features of all four courses viz the undulating land does not really lead to housing development.

It would appear that these days developers prefer flat green belt fields, it's cheaper.

Give youngsters a chance, affordable housing on brownfield sites could be a start.

Roger Brown

Gambleside Close

Ellenbrook

Worsley