Save our farmland

Sir,  I note from your last week's edition that the planning authority feel we do not know the difference between greenbelt and greenfield.

Bassingthorpe Farm is a working farm producing many acres of wheat and other crops in addition to overwintering sheep.

We are advised by the media that the UK population increased by 50,000 in the last year alone. Also that food prices are set to increase by 20% in the next 10 years. If the example of Rotherham of removing the means of feeding the populace and adding to demand is followed throughout the country the Horn of Africa could not be the only place facing famine.

Climate change is evidenced everywhere with Russia having suffered devasting fires destroying much of the grain and causing them to ban export. Australia has also had fires and floods.

Floods devastated a large area of Pakistan. Rotherham faced its own extensive flood problems not so long ago with the bottom of Carr House Hill being 3ft under water. Concreting over Bassingthorpe Farm could only exacerbate any future problems for the town.

Your article mentions that odd fields would be retained as a sop to urban sprawl. A field here and there is not a viable proposition for a farmer. Greasbrough is a village of hundreds of years standing and still retains its essential character. Kimberworth Park, Wingfield, Rockingham and Munsbrough Estates have provided much needed social housing but any more will destroy the area not only for existing residents but for the new people living in a concrete jungle.

The farm also provides habitat for a range of wildlife including protected species such as barn owls and bats.

Rotherham has one of the highest unemployment rates in the UK. There are units to let in plenty at Barbot Hall Ind.Estate & Hellaby plus many other places. Shops and offices are available in great numbers plus public houses. Whilst we all hope for an improvement loss of green belt to industrial use in these circumstances is nothing short of criminal.

Cath Hallam, Munsbrough Lane, Greasbrough.