WITH regard to the letter about turning gardens into driveways, (Tearing Up Of Gardens, News Shopper, March 8), residents have little choice.

What was once a scene of admiration has been demolished.

The car has taken over, but in many cases it's a caravan or lorry at the front of homes.

These structures restrict the light and the view of adjacent residents.

No planning permission is required to convert a garden into a vehicle parking area.

The council tells you it's all part of the policy to get cars off the road.

Regrettably this ill-conceived and flawed policy does quite the opposite if you offer space then it will soon be taken up.

While we complain about excessive logging, loss of forests and, in general, abuse of much of our natural assets, can we really continue to lay bare our gardens and replace them with concrete, then deposit our status symbols in such a fashion? This might smack of hypocrisy.

I invite readers to take a look at some of the borough's roads and distinguish between what you see and a runway at Gatwick.

J A JOHNSON
Arlington Close
Sidcup