SIR – Re: The recent article “Hundreds sign petition against the Martley housing plan.”
With yet another village threatened by over development, isn’t it time we examined the statistical conundrums that led Inspector Clews to declare the SWDP incomplete?
The 2010 Sub National Population Projections from the Office of National Statistics stated that in 2006 the population of South Worcestershire was 277,458 living in 118,128 dwellings. A density ratio of 2.349 persons per dwelling.
They went on to say that if the historical trend of lower density ratios continued, by 2030 we would need relatively more dwellings – 146,978 – to house a population of 318,942. This lower density ratio – 2.170 – would be the driver behind the projected need for 28,850 more houses.
This fact, amongst others, led the Inspector’s call for more sites.
But we cannot extrapolate past trends without acknowledging the current situation. After all, austerity, cuts to benefits and tax credits – and the increased tax relief in the Rent a Room scheme – all point to a future dwelling density ratio that could well be close to what it is now, or even higher.
If that is the case – to accommodate an extra 41,484 people at a density of 2.349 per dwelling – we need only build 18,000 more dwellings between 2006 and 2030.
Thus it is entirely possible that the original figure of 23,200 more dwellings for South Worcestershire – as determined by our democratically elected councillors – will satisfy a future need, and then some.
The second conundrum.
If the industry, the house builders and associated planning consultants believe their own statistics – that every future dwelling will house fewer individuals, why the heck are they planning to build so many four and five bed-roomed homes?
ROGER ARNOLD
Clifton upon Teme

Bankers cutting staff to make bigger profits
SIR – The article “Jobs could be lost as Barclays makes cuts” (Worcester News, July 21) perhaps illustrates just how corrupt bankers really are. It says Barclays is reportedly planning to axe more than 30,000 jobs. That’s more than a fifth of its workers. And the reason: “Mr McFarlane said the bank needed faster revenue growth, adding the share price was unchanged in six years and dividends “low.”
Didn’t Barclays make £6 billion in net profits, after tax and business expenses last year? Isn’t that £45,454 in net profits per employee?
Thirty thousand more of us “slaves” are to be sacrificed upon the altar of higher profits, in order to “...address the bank’s underperformance and hit a target of doubling its share price,” so today’s generation of robber barons are still treating we the people as slaves. These robber barons are running the institutions - the insurance and pension industries - that are robbing us blind. Billions are being sucked out of our savings and insurances and pensions, via interest rates and charges, to line the pockets of these robber barons.
When our bit of the global market economy spectacularly and catastrophically implodes, as it must, the robber barons that have slashed our jobs, and our pay, will be queuing with us at the food banks. Payback!
N TAYLOR
Worcester

Dangerous pavements is a false economy
SIR – Pavement politics are important
Talking to local residents I am often told about their concerns over the state of the cracked and uneven pavements in both the city centre but also increasingly in residential side streets.
If you mostly travel by car or you are relatively fit and young you may not have noticed the problem. However there are very many elderly people with less than perfect eyesight where a cracked and uneven pavement makes walking around far more difficult than it needs to be.
With the blind college we also have a significant number of blind and visually impaired young people in our midst too. Each trip and fall has the potential to cause a great deal of distress as well as costly hospital treatment.
If cutting back on pavement maintenance leads to less mobility and increased NHS costs it is a false economy.
LOUIS STEPHEN
Green Campaigner for Battenhall

Cricket appeal for lots of old Fossils players
SIR – To celebrate 20 years of Fossils cricket, the Worcester-based team are playing a special game against the MCCC on Thursday, August 13, at Rushwick Cricket Club at 1.30pm. It would be nice to see as many old Fossils players and friends at the ground on the day for a cup of tea and a piece of cake, not to mention a chat about old times.
If any old players, or friends can make it on August 13, ring  01905 427007. You will be very welcome.
JOHN REYNOLDS
Captain

Garden opening was simply wonderful
SIR – What a wonderful occasion the opening of Norton Commemorative Garden was!
This special event  was supported by VIPs, family, friends, the local community and, last but not least, children from the local school. We would love to feature names but this would be impossible for fear of leaving someone out. However thanks to all for your support and I understand from our daughter Tracey and son in law Dennis there is a promise to provide continued support in the future. Well done to all! We have “planted our poppies” in memory.
DOREEN AND DAVID PERRIN
Bexhill-on-Sea