Before more homes are built in South East England, the Government must ensure local authorities are making the best of what they have already got.

There would be little point in building a modern new estate on picturesque fields outside a rural town or village when there are properties nearby that could be easily renovated or derelict sites developed.

There is a need for new housing in the region but the planners and property developers should not automatically think of building on fields around towns and villages.

However, jobs will be lost and services suffer if the South East becomes too expensive for key workers to live in.

A balance must be struck between providing new homes, building where necessary and protecting the countryside.

Get it right and the South East will continue to prosper as the power house of the British economy.

Get it wrong and the countryside will be desecrated. There will also be resentment towards councils and the Government.

Eventually, more people will move out because their favourite towns and villages have been destroyed.

All authorities must think very carefully before any go-ahead is sanctioned for large scale house-building.