OPINION: How small can suburban blocks get?

HOW refreshing it is to see a new development in Ipswich where the roofs of the houses don't touch each other (see today's front page story).

I'm not against progress, but I do worry for the next generation of children when I see some of these new, high density residential areas with blocks that won't give you much change for 300 sqm.

Nowhere to put the Hill's Hoist, let alone park a car - but even more importantly, nowhere for the kids to play.

We'd probably all love one, but you don't need to have a 2000sqm allotment in order to have a decent sized house, a good yard, and enough breathing space between you and the neighbours so that you can't hear them opening the biscuit tin.

On the other hand, I would suggest that anything under 400sqm is too small for a family to live in - that's judging by what I've seen coming up around Ipswich over the last 10 years or so - and I know I'm not the only one who has been thinking along these lines.

There is always choice when it comes to where you live, but a lot or your choice is determined by what you can afford.

I want to put it out there that I'm not a fan or corralling modest first home buyers into these cramped up little neighbourhoods with no room to do anything except sleep and eat.

That's what apartment blocks are for.