‘It is no surprise that Hampstead Heath and its wildlife are under pressure’

• THE April 21 letters from Robert Sutherland Smith (Hampstead Heath is not a park!) and FW Evans (Just say no to greed and save our fresh air) about over-use of Hampstead Heath, the last remaining expanse of Middlesex countryside, are timely.

Rather than attribute the overuse to developers I would suggest that it is due to a failure by Camden to apply its policies.

The Local Plan Policy A2 requires developers to provide an open space allocation of nine square metres per resident.

All too often this requirement is traded for a payment in lieu so that, instead of creating new open spaces, developers can simply provide funding for existing green spaces.

Current examples of the failure to apply the requirement for 9 sq m of open space per resident are Murphy’s Yard and the O2 Centre.

With about 2,000 residents anticipated at the Murphy’s Yard site and at least 4,500 residents at the O2, the two developments should provide almost 60,000 sq m of open space.

Instead the developers will provide woefully inadequate amounts, in the knowledge that residents will avail themselves of the opportunity to use Hampstead Heath as their playground.

It is no surprise that Hampstead Heath and its wildlife are under pressure, notwithstanding Camden’s declared ecological emergency.

NANCY MAYO, NW3