THE pandemic has meant for many, a sea change, in terms of their attitudes as to what is important to them in their lives.

City dwellers have grown tired of violence in their neighbourhoods, and workers have become used to working from home. This is turn, has ignited a desire for a simpler existence, and the comfort of green spaces.

Some of us are lucky enough to live and work in Dorset, which contains landscapes of national importance. What is meant by the word landscape? Can you describe it purely in aesthetic terms? Should you not also define it economic, environmental and functional terms? The landscape should be used in a way which works with, not against nature.

New development should, as part of any planning process, incorporate mechanisms for biodiversity gains. Nature should be closely integrated with the built environment. Should the future strategy for development in Dorset (Local Plan) be conservation led, or development led? Homes should be built at affordable prices for local people in the right places.

Instead, we often see vast estates of poor design, and sometimes poor quality, developers making little attempt to integrate these dwellings either with the countryside or the existing built environment.

All of the above issues are fundamental, and the Local Plan must have at its heart, a vision which has been defined by the community, not vested interests.

STEPHEN LARCOMBE Shadrack Street Beaminster