Dimbleby slams housing 'vandalism'

David Dimbleby has reacted angrily to plans to build a housing development near his home in East Sussex.

The BBC presenter has written a letter to Pelham Holdings objecting to the proposal to build a large estate near his £1.5 million country mansion.

The development would see 500 new homes, a primary school, health centre and convenience store built in the countryside village of Folkington.

In a letter to planners, the Question Time host wrote: "It cannot be too strongly stressed that this is an area of outstanding natural beauty alongside which the proposed three-storey, or even two- or one-storey houses would be vandalism."

Dimbleby, who has lived in the area with his wife for ten years, concluded: "In summary, if you grant the application you will be responsible for an act of devastation."

The developers have insisted that the proposal would be beneficial to the area. "In our view we should be granted planning permission. We have assessed the issues that Mr Dimbleby has highlighted in his letter," The Mail quotes Pelham planning consultant Jenny Owen as saying.

"Our view is that the need for the development outweighs any of the arguments he has put. His extreme views don't reflect the volume of work which we have submitted."

The council has received a further 100 letters regarding the development.