I SEE that Richard Best has once again put on his rose-tinted spectacles while looking to create utopia at Derwenthorpe (Letters, April 12).

Perhaps he would care to comment on the following when considering the green areas he talks about.

1 Is it not a fact that a large section of this area comprises land that has to be left to allow the drainage board to maintain the beck and is on the flood plain?

2 Is it not true that the ponds he mentions are primarily for land drainage purposes and not, as he suggests, recreation?

3 Is it not a fact that the habitat he boasts about creating for the great crested newts would not even be considered were it not for local residents reporting the existence of these creatures; something his experts failed to do?

4 Is it not also true that English Nature played a great part in the decision not to bulldoze field nine along with the rest?

As for the planning meeting where the outline permission for this development was approved, it was interesting to note that the only people to speak in favour were those employed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and the York councillors who had no option because of the financial implications for the city. Regarding the removal of the power lines, we all know the housing density will be reduced if this does not happen because who, in their right mind, would buy property built underneath them?

W H Hall,

The Village,

Osbaldwick, York.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, April 21, 2005