Cameron Shaming the Country

One of the reasons the estate planned behind our houses was because it was a large estate taking over three fields and would have been able to be seen from any direction you came into the village, a real blot on the landscape. That and the flooding problem, and the fact the schools are already full, and there are no jobs, so it would mean extra commuting. I don't think greenbelt was actually mentioned.
The builders were desperate enough to mention the village bus as being able to take people home or to work; they even gave it a number, which it has never had. It's a minibus/taxi that runs weekday mornings and the villagers are always running coffee mornings etc. to keep it going.

The greenbelt is comparatively new Jen. I think people see it as having been here forever but it really only came into being in the late 1940s.

It is just a mechanism for preventing urban sprawl - it's failed in many places and it would possibly be better to overhaul the whole system. I'm not keen to over-build but it would be better to plan knowing what we were doing instead of taking a bite out here and another one there.

I agree about the 3%, Gracesgran. I put it on because I was surprised. The way that people complain about not going into the greenbelt, you would think it much more than that.

durhamjen - thanks for link.

I think 3% of land is quite a simplistic way of looking at it as we have some areas that are very built up and some with a scarcity of population. There was something on More or Less today about how they would calculate a reasonable number for us to take and it had more parameters in it. It included, I think, average income and a couple of other things. It still came out that we were far away from doing our bit. If I can I will listen to it again.

www.change.org/p/welsh-government-use-emergency-powers-to-house-100-000-refugees-in-unused-holiday-homes#petition-letter

I do think a sudden influx of refugees will put pressure on already pressurised resources but there is more than one answer to the problem and it doesn't have to be - don't let them in. We could provide the resources. I had to smile as the holiday homes suggestion Jen.

It comes back to the Conservatives putting in purely ideologically driven austerity and not growing ourselves out of the low waged, insecure working practices, low housing priority and poor infrastructure. If people feel scarcities and insecurities all around them it is not surprising that many have been against helping the refugees until recently. If only they could see that these problems have been made by design.

Why can't Cameron dig deep and see if he has a shred of humanity within

Yes please, give them the holiday homes in Wales . Jen much of the land is owned by the queen and aristocracy . Charles could give his holiday home in Wales to the refugees , he never stays there

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/11/merkel-ugly-german-history

This is why Germany is acting in a more humanitarian way than the UK.
Why can't we be like them?
Actually, many of us are. What I really mean is why can't Cameron be more like Merkel?

"The arguments used against accepting and housing refugees often elide with the arguments against taking action to solve the housing crisis. A tongue-in-cheek petition to house 100,000 refugees in some of the 80,000 holiday homes in Wales makes the point that Britain is far from full, but that too much space and power lands in the laps of the rich. In fact, there??s plenty of space to build more homes and house more people. "

In the same article it says that only 3% of land is built on in the UK.
I found that quite surprising.

Sorry Jen but not only has this thread gone off topic but the "off topic" bit seems all a few posters seem prepared to discuss.

Actually, Gracesgran, the GN rule is 'no personal attacks', which is slightly different. If what you said had been true, quite a few of us on this thread would have had cause to complain about your own 'personal remarks' about us!

You are obviously intent on continuing this Ana so we may as well see your evidence.

A few of us were actually attempting to continue the thread along its original lines earlier today, Gracesgran, but you insisted on carping. The continuation of this ridiculous saga is down to you alone.

If, as you say, it is down to me Ana then it will stop as all I am doing is replying. I too want to continue the discussion. Oh yes, I started it didn't I and that was because I wanted to see what people had to say about it.

Actually, Gracesgran, the GN rule is 'no personal attacks', which is slightly different. If what you said had been true, quite a few of us on this thread would have had cause to complain about your own 'personal remarks' about us!

You sound a very angry and bitter person gg, I feel sorry for you.

That would be kind if I were angry and bitter nigglynellie but I am not. Very disappointed in the level of some people's view of what it is important to discuss and, as in this case, the need to descend into personal abuse . I am sure one of GNs rules is, basically, no personal remarks. This does seem to be far away from the poor refugees but you and others appear to find it a more important topic and, as I said, I will continue to reply.

Have fun, you two!

A few of us were actually attempting to continue the thread along its original lines earlier today, Gracesgran, but you insisted on carping. The continuation of this ridiculous saga is down to you alone.

You are right, Gracesgran.
The figures in the second half of that article are quite horrifying.
Cameron had time to go and watch a cricket match today - after insulting the people of Yorkshire - much more important. He obviously thinks he's done enough for the asylum seekers.

It's not looking good is it Jen and Cameron does not seem to be going any further with the help he is offering, sadly.

Ana and rosearered I and others have tried to carry on the thread on topic but each time one or two of just a few posters tells me again what I may posts - or not - on this thread or criticises me personally.

All I do is reply. You tried to tell me what, when and how to post and I do not believe that is what a forum is for nor do I believe that GN has given you this power to dictate but you insist on going back to the subject. If you had stopped I would have had no need to reply and this would have ended long ago.

You sound a very angry and bitter person gg, I feel sorry for you.

theconversation.com/europes-migration-and-asylum-policy-disintegrates-before-our-eyes-47236

Yes, have fun GG, because most of us will be on another thread.

Well, having efficiently demonstrated your own ability to tell people when they may or may not post and what they my post about Gracesgran, feel free to continue the thread as you please.