I usually have to push myself to go for a walk but this morning was fresh and clear and cold so persuading myself did not take long. We live on the edge of the city with easy access to walking routes by fields and along a canal. However, these fields are disappearing as the land is sold to developers for the ever expanding city. The government has promised to build 1.5 million houses over the next five years to deal with the housing shortage: this is because, according to the BBC news article of 12 December 2024, many people cannot afford to buy their first home and 1.3 million people are on social housing waiting lists. But is the crisis then connected to affordable housing rather than a shortage of housing? I’d be surprised if of these 1.5 million new houses the government has promised to build, only 200,000 are going to be private homes. Is the ever increasing urban sprawl part of the commitment to deal with the housing shortage or is it indicative of something else? Are we part of the problem? Where farmers are selling land to developers, is it because farming isn’t profitable in the UK? I noticed the garlic on the shelves in Asda was from China the other day. How many other goods are from elsewhere? If we want to keep our countryside, we need to show that we want our produce too. As for housing, of course I don’t want people living on the streets or in accommodation that should really be bulldozed but the reasons for these situations can be complex ranging from unscrupulous landlords to addiction problems and of course, to misfortune such as job loss or illness. The reasons for people living in ill suited housing and being charged rent that is barely affordable will not go with more housing, these problems will remain unless dealt with too and our countryside will continue to disappear.