ONLY a couple of decades ago the big ‘must-have’ fad was satellite TV, long before that it was picture windows with louvered vents.

The louvres let in a constant draft and were a security risk, while satellite TV dishes required strict planning constraints to be applied.

Today are we being conned again.

Great areas of local council house roofs are being obliterated by big ugly shiny glass panels on the pretext of making free money and saving energy. Wonderful business for the installers, and the government want investment in green industry, but the panels are imported.

They are a horrendous eyesore, so why no apparent planning restrictions? And will they really work long term, other than on paper?

MIKE ROBERTS-BUTLER, Dolbery Road, Poole