I NOTE Charles Jones' comments about the words "evidence" and "proof" (Letters, June 15) but refer him to Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus from which he will note the words are interchangeable.

There is neither evidence nor proof that the Germany Beck site was the centre of the Battle Of Fulford as he now alleges. He is also guilty of selectively quoting from written matter submitted to the planning authority.

English Heritage initially objected to the planning application. However, in a letter of March 29 it was stated: "English Heritage concurs with the view of the Battlefields Trust that, with the limited range of sources, it cannot be conclusively proven that the application site is the location of the Battle of Fulford." It is further stated: "The revisions to the historic landscape appraisal indicate that Germany Beck may well have been created in the mediaeval period or was a major reworking of that feature in the mediaeval period.

"Therefore, this current lack of clear evidence and an assumption that further evidence may not be forthcoming suggests that conclusive proof as to the location of the battlefield may not be discovered."

Again, the initial report of the developer's archaeologist was given in 1996 when it was suggested that the battle may have occurred on the site. These professional archaeologists have carried out considerably more investigation and research and their reports indicate no evidence, or proof, that the battle took place on this site.

These additional investigations carried out at the behest of the city archaeologist and English Heritage have enabled English Heritage to draw its own conclusions and for the planning authority to determine the planning application.

Ian E Reynolds,

Landowner's agent,

Colliergate, York.

Updated: 10:20 Monday, June 27, 2005