WE repeatedly hear about the shortage of housing in and near York.

The Westminster Government has set us a target of new homes which have to be built in and around York, regardless of the destruction of our green belt and precious agricultural land.

Dr Scott Marmion recently commented (Letters, June 17) that to stem the requirement for more housing, we have to consider stabilising our population.

It seems obvious that, at least in theory, there is nothing to stop half the population of London, Birmingham, Newcastle etc from deciding to move to York.

Of course each new family would expect to find a house, a job, access to education, health care and all the normal services.

Similarly, there is nothing to stop half the rest of the world from thinking that Britain would be a great place to live, and moving here.

As we are not building enough homes for the people now living here, it seems unlikely that house building can keep pace with all the new people who have decided that the streets of Britain are paved with gold.

Some sort of limit must surely be set if we are going to remain a green and pleasant land.

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York