Your leading article (Guardian, January 29) displays a misunderstanding of the Green Belt which protects us all by retaining open space between communities; it ensures that Londoners have better access to open space and prevents towns as far away as Harlow and Bishop's Stortford from becoming a part of a sprawling London.

As an example of what could have happened without the Green Belt, look at the growth of Los Angeles: it has half the population of London but covers an area twice as big because there was no protection.

You appear to have fallen for the special pleading of travellers who want to be excused the laws which apply to others. Developers try the same trick when they want to break the rules by building on protected land.

Many find it remarkable that so many people who go by the title of “traveller” seem to want to live on fixed sites for years near such a large city as London. This is at variance with the roaming, country loving image they seek to project when looking for support. Whatever choices they may make (and developers too) all of us must follow the same laws if we are to maintain our country as a civilised and safe place.

Andrew Smith chairman, The Epping Society