35 Forum LETTERS
Dear Editor Flowers, trees and security: I'd like to make some observations about housing security. We all know, sadly, that this is an increasing problem and precautions need to be taken 24/7. However, most of us have experienced those sudden blazing lights in the eyes when we go visiting people at night. They certainly light up the neighbourhood but are distracting, harsh and over-perform. And why use 500 watt lamps? They are totally over-powered and, if anything, cause large shadows which can prove more of a security risk than anything else.
Perhaps your readers will be interested in a different solution which marries aesthetics with security. The idea here is to combine lighting with the natural garden landscape. The lights are activated in exactly the same way but instead of blinding you (or an intruder), they light up trees, shrubs, flower-beds of whatever. In other words, you create an aesthetically pleasing ambience which does exactly the same job but is much more visitor- friendly. Of course, the lighting can also be left on to enjoy during the evening and then revert to automatic later. The solution is a very dramatic improvement and benefit. It's becoming very popular.
Yours sincerely, Charlie Wadsworth Commercial Director Light Projects Group Ltd
Dear Editor An architect writes… I welcome your new magazine. I welcome, also, the new Housing Minister, Caroline Flint, who has been appointed as a result of the Prime Minister's recent reshuffle. It has to be made clear to her that high quality design is paramount for all forms of housing development; this message has to be put over quite forcibly to all Local Authorities and other planning bodies.
In order to keep down the cost of housing, particularly for first-time buyers, full backing should be given to the use of prefabricated components. IKEA has recently taken on board this form of speedy building for a number of sites in the UK. Architectural practices are eager to help build better homes, including those for the mass market. The benefit of co-operation with housebuilders can be very fruitful as witness all those well-designed houses in Holland.
Yours truly, Roger Simpson RIBA Woldingham Surrey
Dear Editor, Time to wake up! I would like to ask everyone hanging on the tails of the politician’s Global Warming spin to pause for a moment to reflect. Clear your minds of all the rubbish that¹s been fed to you over the last few years. Talk to people (scientists) who know what they¹re talking about.
Ask yourself this: Is CO2 the bogey-man that it¹s made out to be? I would say not. Yes, it’s a greenhouse gas but so are many others. Even modern refrigerants are 10,000 times more potent that CO2. Probably the most important factor is water vapour which forms clouds that reflect the sun’s heat back into space. More clouds the cooler the planet becomes; fewer clouds means we warm up. In this respect the planet¹s climate is self-repairing; the temperature rises causing the oceans to produce more water vapour which condenses out as clouds, which cool us down. The reverse is also true.
We need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels because they are a finite resource and will not last forever. However, Green taxes and other wheezes are not the way to do it. Many of the energy saving devices on the market today cost more in energy to produce than they will save throughout their entire working lives. Time to wake up!
Yours sincerely, Environmental engineer Chris C (edited)
Do please send us your letters: Email:
housing@tspltd.co.uk
enquiry 17
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