HUGH Bayley calls for more building to be undertaken on greenfield land in the city in his 12-point action plan to tackle rising costs and shortage of affordable homes (Fight to buy, The Press, January 19).

This seems at odds with his own Government's recommendation - to build on previously-built-on land (brownfield sites), before developing on green fields.

I would point out to Mr Bayley that the city of York is now awash with many acres of "brownfield" - there's York Central, Nestle, Hungate and the Terrys factory site for starters, and the soon-to-be-vacant sugar-beet factory site.

All these sites should be included in any action plan. Even the leader of City of York Council, Steve Galloway, states: "There is no need for greenfield site development for at least the next 20 years."

Mr Bayley praises the council's "bold decision that a 50 per cent provision of affordable homes is provided on new developments".

However, the best the council has achieved so far has been 16 per cent. This proposal is therefore unlikely to contribute much more to the affordable housing stock, as it is unpopular with developers. They are more likely to walk away from development sites that impose such restrictions.

What is required for any action plan to be successful is a directive to the council to bring forward "brownfield" sites as a matter of urgency. The Government should then be pressurised by our MP (after all, he is one of them) for finance to ensure that the 50 per cent target for affordable homes is met. This could be achieved not in the 12 steps outlined, but in two.

D Spaven, Appletree Village, York.


IT is all very well for Hugh Bayley to come up with a housing plan; the only proposed developments that he refers to are Derwentthorpe and Germany Beck, which are awaiting a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

Both of these sites experienced flooding during the recent inclement weather.

He gives the impression that these are the only sites available, when in fact there are brownfield sites with better access.

Hugh Bayley has always informed the Derwentthorpe protesters that housing is not his responsibility, but the responsibility of City of York Council, and I have received letters from him to this effect when trying to win his support.

I wonder if he would still feel the same if these proposed developments were on his doorstep, along with an extension to the university, and the traffic chaos which would be created.

Bob Peel, Temple Avenue, York