Why should we give up our green space to cram in more flats?

Dear Ed, I WOULD like to thank the East London Advertiser for highlighting the campaign in the “battle to save green space” on the Exmouth estate in Stepney where I live.I am strongly against our landlords Swan Housing building on our green spaces

Dear Ed,

I WOULD like to thank the East London Advertiser for highlighting the campaign in the "battle to save green space" on the Exmouth estate in Stepney (Advertiser, March 19).

I live on the estate and am strongly against our landlords Swan Housing Association building on our green spaces. Swan's literature boasts how its 'Housing and Health' proposal would immensely benefit all residents.

But its proposals are a thinly-disguised property building exercise and do not add any extra community facilities to the estate. We already have a GP practice, a nursery, two community halls, a Princes Trust careers' centre, a parade of shops and children's playground on the estate. There is a health centre and another GP's practice less than 30ft from the estate.

So Swan Housing's claims of these "extra facilities" are unmerited.

The fact is Swan wants to build blocks of six-storeys with 100 flats, cramming an extra 200-300 people on an already over-populated estate. They claim this would improve security and reduce anti-social behaviour on the estate.

The only true beneficiaries of this scheme would be Swan Housing with an increased property portfolio.

Tower Hamlets is already one the most densely populated areas in Europe.

Nothing justifies cutting down more than 40 mature trees and building on the last remaining green space facing onto Commercial Road.

Swan Housing should concentrate on the regeneration works and stop wasting everyone's time.

S Jobber

Exmouth Estate, Commercial Road, Stepney