IF EVER there was a cause worthy of espousal by The Press, with its distinguished campaigning record, it’s surely the second ‘Battle of Fulford’.

The protection of an historic site of such significance to that epoch-making year of 1066 should be priority, not least to English Heritage.

The very name Germany Beck seems to provide a clue as to why the area may not be the most felicitous choice for a major house building scheme, while the old name of Water Fulford, which, I believe, applied to the land south of the Beck, reinforces this and offers another dissuasive hint.

As memories of past inundations come flooding back to local residents, maybe it’s a case of “man the houseboats”.

Let’s remind ourselves that much of York’s reputation (and its economy) is proudly built on its care for and conservation of its history and heritage.

Derek Reed, Middlethorpe Drive, York.