I AM continually askance at the lack of foresight by councils when it comes to planning for the future (Letters, March 13).

The average man or woman prepares for a rainy day, yet the average councillor has no foresight.

Water is the most important commodity that humans depend on. We need reservoirs for dry periods. But councils are hog-tied because they need land to build upon. So do we blame the Government or the water company who do not ensure against a possible drought?

Fields around Southampton are owned by developers who are waiting to cash in on their investment. Nothing is growing on the land and there are no cattle.These weed infested meadows have been barren for many years.

The powers-that-be would not want to produce a landscape of reservoirs with access by the public to enjoy strolling or picnicking and trees planted and encourage wildlife to enhance this non-productive land. There is not money in it - let's build high rise flats.

J MOORBY (by e-mail).