The "negative response received from some people" which has "disheartened" Mr Brooke and his family (Malvern Gazette, October 15) must refer to the huge attendance of up to 100 residents at each of the last six meetings of the parish council and also of some 70 residents at each of the last two meetings of the MHDC's northern area planning committee. Mr Brooke goes on to ask "what is the real agenda behind these objections?"

That agenda relates firstly to the status of the Upper House site as an Area of Great Landscape Value, which we all have a duty to try to preserve for future generations.

Behind the site is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which encompasses magnificent views across to the Malvern Hills. These open views would not be left unscathed by the proposed development.

Alfrick villagers as a whole are far from convinced that any real case has been made by Elgar Housing Association for ten affordable homes in the village. I cannot speak for the entire population but it is abundantly clear that a large majority do not want such a development, especially in the absence of any genuine, demonstrable need which could not be met from the existing Elgar Housing stock, which is currently 10 per cent of the housing in the village.

The proposed site is served by one of the village's many narrow lanes. The blind bend at the entrance to The Grange (Patches) Farm is almost at a right angle with zero visibility from either direction. In the opinion of most people, it would be a dangerous folly to attempt to add a footpath, which the highways report requires, along this section of lane.

Residents are also concerned about the impact of the proposed development. Many of them have already lost gardens and outlook to earlier council building schemes (currently administered by Elgar Housing) and now stand to lose even more.

Many of these people are the oldest and longest standing residents in the village.

B H ADLAM, (village resident for 18 years), Alfrick.