With reference to the letter from John Haworth (Standard Letters, March 14, "Sea level is rising...we will need floating homes"), I have written recently to James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Local Government, making the case for a review of Maldon's Local Development Plan in the light of the latest renewed forecasts by the International Climate Change Commission.

But it is also important that Defra and the Environment Agency have a greater say in sanctioning developments in low-lying areas and flood plains (or rather in banning them).

It is still not too late for the district council to volunteer a review, on the basis of these new forecasts without too much loss of face.

Christopher Swain

Mermaid Way, Maldon