Debt to Afghans

Twenty thousand Afghan refugees who worked for the British military and UK Government, have been promised permanent residency here. The first 8,000 have already been evacuated,

Wiltshire has over 1000 empty army houses. In correspondence about using these to house Afghan refugees, my MP James Gray, wrote: 'They should be used for Wiltshire homeless, or sold off '' and added: 'There are 187 empty properties, for example, in Lyneham. Are you suggesting we should have 187 Afghan families there? What consequence would that have, for example, for the school and the surgery?... Do you really think that we should have an Afghan community in the middle of Wiltshire?' and said he is not convinced that settling here 'would be an ideal solution for them or for local people.'

If these vacant houses in Lyneham were used for homeless Wiltshire families, most of whom would be coming from other parts of Wiltshire, or if the houses were sold, with the new residents coming from anywhere in the country, this would put the exactly the same pressures on local schools and other services.

We surely have a moral duty to the Afghan refugees, who helped and supported our British forces, and, because of this, feared for their lives under Taliban rule. They need permanent homes. They need security. Their children need to resume their education, the adults to seek work etc. And, like all of us, if we were transplanted to a foreign country, will want to live near others who share their language, religion and culture.

The Government is providing extra healthcare and housing support for those arriving from Afghanistan. The resettling of Afghan families in Wiltshire will mean temporary pressure on the schools and services where these vacant army homes are (though they once housed army families whose children went to the local schools). Our country has managed such resettlements in the past. In 1972 we took in 27,000 Ugandan Asians, who had been expelled by President Idi Amin. We have an honourable record of welcoming those fleeing from oppression.

As to whether the middle of Wiltshire would be 'ideal' for these refugees, it is not for James Gray or others to decide.

As to whether it is 'ideal' for local people, in Wiltshire, so closely associated as we are with the military, most residents will recognise our huge debt to these Afghans who risked their lives to support the British mission in their country.

I cannot imagine any soldier who served in Afghanistan begrudging these desperate people the chance to rebuild their lives in Wiltshire. I ask you Mr Gray, if not here, where?

John Boaler

Woodland Park

Calne

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Impossible target

In your report ‘478 more homes to be built in Wichelstowe, you mention that Barratt Development, has a commitment to become a net zero carbon housebuilder.

Given that Barratt, along with other builders, doesn’t even include solar panels in its new builds, I have no faith in it achieving this objective. Barratt is not alone in not providing solar panels.

The carbon offsets will need to be enormous when one takes into account the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from any new development. This has to include the road construction, the cement and concrete and bricks plus the timber. However energy efficient the homes, and I have yet to see any commitment by developers to this objective, achieving net zero carbon is well-nigh impossible.

Providing a few bird boxes, leaving some open space and planting a few trees is merely tinkering with the problem.

Perhaps Barratt, and other builders, will publish their plans for achieving net zero carbon.

Tony Mayer

Wheatlands

Haydon Wick