WE are told that “there is no other option” than to build on the Green Belt and it’s the wicked government’s fault.

It seems we must build 12,000 new homes by 2035 or 700 per annum.

In February Phil Davies wrote to Government minister Sajid Javid to reassure him all was well.

Here are the key bits: ‘Planning permission is currently in place for 16,098 homes, including 2,577 on existing urban and previously developed sites and up to 13,521 dwellings at a large regeneration site at Wirral waters.’ Taking these numbers in total we have 20,620 homes with planning permission, or 29 years worth at the required rate of building.

Clearly the “Government required” rate of building is possible to meet. Robinson’s view that new Green Belt land must be used is therefore puzzling.

I also note Javid’s comment that Wirral “is not an area of high housing pressure” which is interesting.

Javid’s attack was not about numbers but about Wirral’s failure to meet the statutory duty to have a Local Plan in place.

The last plan was published in 2000.

To conflate statutory plan duties with Green Belt release issues is arguably mischievous.

Is all this blather something to do with forcing through pet council Green Belt schemes like the Golf Resort?

Taxpayers might reasonably ask, Quo Bono?

Professor D P Gregg, Spital.