THERE was a time when land classed as Green Belt was deemed to be safe from development. Now, such designation is merely regarded by governments and developers as being just one more hurdle to cross before they obtain the desired result.

Our main story today concerns revelations that greenfield sites on the periphery of Worcester have been earmarked for 10,000 new homes. The Government has ordered the relevant councils to come up with a plan and the potential destruction of our countryside is the response. We would therefore like to make our position very clear - these plans, should they come to fruition, would destroy the very environment that encourages people to come to Worcester in the first place. We have no argument with sensitive development, but this scheme would be a greenfield armageddon.

Consider this. If a link road was built, Hallow, Claines, Bevere and possibly even Grimley would become one gigantic suburb. Building on the other side of the motorway would drive an earthmover through what has for years been regarded as a natural boundary to the city - and as for Kempsey, it would only be a matter of time before this historic village became part of a Greater Worcester, its identity lost forever.

This newspaper does not accept that development on this scale is necessary. We believe that as far as Whitehall is concerned, our city and countryside has become no more than a pin on a map. While there may be need for some growth, it cannot be on a scale like this.