Sir.-Maria Miller made interesting points in her letter in The Gazette, on January 7, but does she live in the real world?

1. Housing demand is a fact of life when there are more singles and people living longer.

2. A buoyant housing market creates jobs and facilitates working in this area. It sustains the local economy.

3. There are serious shortages of skilled labour due to a lack of housing. Ask any major employer.

4. Of course, additional housing puts strains on the infrastructure if badly, or piecemeal, planned.

Priorities will change, and those responsible have to ensure that good development comes with properly-funded infrastructure.

Be positive. Basingstoke is a great town. Let's manage the issue instead of being a NIMBY!

-John Burbidge-King, Hill Road, Oakley.