THE loss of 300 acres of farmland at Heslington (Ruined, March 29) will not only be keenly felt by the Hawkswell family who have farmed there for 50 years.

Many local people, myself among them, enjoy the simple pleasure of walking on these lanes.

There's a great variety of wildlife - hares, lapwings, larks and other farmland birds - and a real sense of peace.

The university claims the new campus on this site will bring Heslington "increased biodiversity" and more football pitches. What we want is birdlife and quiet lanes and a sense of continuity.

Lime Tree Farm connects Heslington with its history. It is a central part of village life. Hawkswells have farmed here as Lord Halifax's tenants for 50 years.

Few people in modern Britain expect to lose their livelihood and their family's achievements so easily.

This is a real injustice, and for dubious reasons.

There are other sites for the university to expand on to which would leave the precious Green Belt intact.

York citizens do not realise how much green belt land will go under start-up business units to subsidise the university's academic development.

The university is promoting this at a time when sustainability and brownfield development are Government policy.

Is this genuinely what the city wants?

There should be a public inquiry so all these questions, including Hawkswell's future, can be properly debated.

Polly Cairns,

Heslington,

York.

Updated: 10:27 Friday, April 01, 2005