Sir – The proposed Burford Road housing development is not wanted by West Oxfordshire District Council and is not wanted by the people of Witney (Witney Gazette, September 3).

It is likely to increase flood risk, ruin views of the Windrush Valley and increase traffic jams.

However, it is wanted by two parties: i) The landowner, and ii) Gladman, a company which, as stated on their website, exists to partner with landowners who are looking to obtain residential consent.

The Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi said: “Companies like Gladman are rapacious in their behaviour and are profiteering. They are going to the most expensive parts of the shires and looking for greenfield sites in areas where the local council does not have a core strategy in place. These areas then have inappropriate developments forced down their throats.”

Google ‘Gladman opposition’ and you will see this story is being repeated all over the country. They have no shame and proudly advertise what they do. How have we let this happen?

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was introduced by the current Government. Sir Simon Jenkins, the chairman of the National Trust is furious about this. He says ‘The NPPF was written by developers’, many of whom are large donors to the Conservative Party. This was like putting the poachers in charge of the prison.

So what can we do?

(i) Email your views on the planning application (14/1215/P/OP) to kim.smith@westoxon.gov.uk before 25th Sept.

(ii) Vote for a Government that does not put the interests of big business first.

Paul Creighton West End Witney