YOUR reporting on the proposed development of the Ministry of Defence's North Site has been fair and accurate, but letters published in the Malvern Gazette have been giving misleading impressions, so as county councillor for the area including the site I'd like to offer some hard facts.

1. The Government believes there is a national housing shortage. In response, it has imposed local targets for new housing everywhere. I understand the district council has already succeeded in getting its target reduced, so I doubt if there is any more room for argument.

2. Building on 'brownfield sites' is preferred - a policy most of us would agree with. North Site can help the district council meet its quota without eating into untouched countryside.

3. As to the number of houses on the site, the MoD has no power to grant itself planning permission, for 600 houses or any other number. The mixture of housing and job-producing development is a local decision.

4. The county council's responsibility will be to solve the problems thrust on it by the development, mainly in the areas of education and the road system. Solutions will not be easy and details must wait until the size of the development is known. The council faces big challenges and it is getting serious thought.

5. Some writers have suggested the site solves the problem of locating a new hospital for Malvern. But if we can take it that the MoD has a public duty to get the best return for any property it sells there would be a substantial price to pay.

Protection of the countryside adjoining the site is something in which I am taking a particular interest.

JEREMY WEBB, Cowleigh Road, Malvern.