TODAY'S Echo (December 10) carried an article on enhancing the county's economy by a proposal to grant the landscape between the east of the County (the border of Devon and Dorset) to the Isle of Purbeck; 'National Park' status.

I wonder if this is the answer for deterring the ongoing encroachment of greenfield sites being eaten away by those who cannot be bothered to find brown land to build on?

I recall many years ago under the old Town & Country Planning Act, some land areas described as White Land, the rule being that any plot titled as such could not be built on under any circumstances.

I have not heard of this rule in recent times so has this part of the act been phased out?

The bottom line is that if we continue to 'concrete' over our landscapes, the quality of our lives will suffer,less trees,less open grassland,wildlife restricted to less areas, air quality diminished and 'areas of outstanding natural beauty' devastated.

I visit West Dorset sometimes twice a week. In Bridport I hear of concern of environmental encroachment, Vearse Farm being the latest example of local concern.

Charminster is another, let alone the proposed oversized development north of Dorchester.

West Dorset ,which includes Poundbury is promoted by the estate agents as being a most desirable area to retire, or if you can afford to, invest in a second home, and spend your weekends away from the office.

This requires more and more land to keep up with the trend.

So an ever decreasing rural landscape.

Perhaps creating a new National Park may go some way to arresting expansionism by developers.

ALVIN HOOPER

Park-Vale, Walpole Street

Weymouth