Interesting points on Hatfield Farm
THE points made about the proposed Hatchfield Farm development have raised some interesting local issues, particularly regarding the potential impact on the horseracing industry.
However, there is a wider point from the national interest and this relates to the loss of productive agricultural land to construction and other activities.
With a predicted UK population increasing to 71 million people in future decades, it will be vital to protect the nation's food producing ability by ensuring that a suitable land base is maintained and not buried under large tracks of concrete.
Indeed, the chief government scientific adviser has described the scenario of a perfect storm by 2030 regarding the potential impacts and demands on global food production.
With central government targets it is a difficult balancing act for local authorities to meet their housing requirements while preserving the green belt status of an area, but there is increasing urbanisation and overcrowding in the south eastern corner of England.
Other specific local demands on land such as the Wicken Fen project and the expansion of the local horse stud farms, means that there could be a reduction by thousands of acres of suitable food producing soils in this area over the approaching years.
England is one of the most densely populated countries on the planet and whichever national government is in power, effective policies will need to be adopted to give the most beneficial and sustainable land use to help protect Britain's food security for future generations.
Lionel Murfet
Edinburgh Road
Newmarket
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Friday 25 May 2012
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