Sir – I was interested to read the letters by Gail Wilson (Witney Gazette, November 28) and Natasha Saveall (Witney Gazette, November 14) expounding the virtues of the Carterton East site for a new development of at least 700 houses.

I wonder if they have considered the disadvantages of this site – in particular for those people buying these houses and for those living downhill from it. Would they like to live there?

It seems bizarre to plan to build homes in an area blighted by severe noise pollution (official evidence for this can be found in ‘noise maps’ provided by the base).

The main maintenance facility for the RAF’s biggest active airport is a mere 600m from the proposed housing. Noise from revving engines funnels between the hangars and is exacerbated by the prevailing wind. Ground noise levels and complaints from local residents have increased enormously since the Hercules arrived.

Light pollution is another significant factor, especially as maintenance is carried out at night and very bright lights blaze from the site. The wind also brings the unpleasant smell and oily residue from aviation fuel, which leaves car windscreens covered in a thin layer of grease that is almost impossible to remove.

The proposed area is bounded on three sides by industrial sites, two of which are MoD land with high fences and barbed wire; surely this smacks more of a concentration camp than a “sustainable development” in the Cotswolds.

The industrial area to the west lies directly on the route which secondary school children would need to walk to get to the school situated on the west of the town. They would need to walk up to two kilometres and some parents would probably drive their children there, increasing traffic into the town unnecessarily.

None of the above problems would arise with the west site. Surely “sustainable development” should provide pleasant housing within easy reach of schools and shops, so that people can walk and cycle safely to these areas rather than jump into their cars.

Putting houses on the east of Carterton benefits two parties: the seller of the land – the powerful and influential Christ Church, one of the largest and richest landowners in the country – and the developer, Bloor Homes. Both these parties stand to make a tidy sum.

Miranda French, Station Road, Brize Norton