LAST week, no less than three Lib Dem leaflets dropped through my letter box.

All three highlighted a common theme – to protect our green spaces. I didn’t have long to bask in the comfort of these assurances.

In one of the leaflets I read “a small amount of family housing near the St John’s Road M27 bridge” is contemplated as one of a number of sites potentially suitable for development.

On enquiry, I discover that the “small amount” will comprise some 100 dwellings.

On reliable authority (of a senior councillor) I am assured that the modest intrusion will occupy no more than an area of five hectares.

In common with 90 per cent of the population I had little idea of this dimension. It appears that one hectare is equal to 10,000 square metres. Thus, five hectares equals 50,000 square metres.

Further arithmetic (square root) reveals that the area will occupy 224 metres by 224 metres, that is 250 yards by 250 yards.

If that can be described as a “small amount” then I shudder to think what a “large amount” might cover. St John’s Road – brace yourself for the traffic onslaught!

Before anyone cries NIMBYism!

may I remind you that a few short decades ago, Hedge End was a peaceful, backwater village with a population of 9,000. Currently, our town is in excess of 20,000 and growing. Is the ambition to create a city?

RON BURLINGHAM, Hedge End.