How upsetting it is to read of the proposed housing development in Gorse Hill.

Many reasons have already been put forward in the Advertiser against building on the green area off Cricklade Road and I would like to add two more.

Firstly my grandfather, Sydney Gee, and his nine brothers spent many happy hours there, as did my mother and my friends and I.

Secondly, and of greater importance, if the building goes ahead, what will happen when it rains heavily? New homes seem to lack gardens of any great size and involve high density building with no grass verges or trees.

The green area is the lungs of Gorse Hill, an oasis in a built up area and a soakaway for surface water.

Mirian Sirrelle Priory Green Highworth Swindon