hypocrisy which is threatening green belts across the country.

Labour's apparent boom-or-bust approach to development, particularly here in the South, is at best folly and at worst suicidal. Even to the layman, housing targets set by unelected quangos such as SEERA and SEEDA are not sustainable, particularly in the face of dwindling water supplies.

One thing these developments seem to have in common is the presence of a Tesco or an ASDA whose philosophy appears to be "build it and they will come" and they appear to be right.

The hypermarket phenomenon is increasingly evident at the epicentres of these expanding estates and, predictably, the same can be said for the 875-house development in West Durrington.

supermarkets fill them creating a monopoly by stealth, where medical, postal, banking and all retail possibilities are realised under the one roof.

Perhaps the sickest aspect of the supermarket encroachment is their relentless consumption of land which could still be used to keep this country self-sufficient if the need ever arose.

Another commonality is local resident groups and environmental activists are taking action against this enforced transformation of their communities.

and they deserve our thanks.

and vital part of Sussex's dwindling natural landscape.

-James Pearson and Rosemary Lewis, Portland Road, Worthing