IN reply to some of the comments made about Elvington Airfield, I remind Len Cruddas that all three local airports at Leeds/Bradford, Humberside and Doncaster have excellent links to Heathrow and Amsterdam, both of which are major worldwide hubs.

When travelling on business or leisure from York, I have never had any difficulty reaching Europe, the Americas, the Middle East nor Australia, to name but a few destinations.

Part of the attraction of York for businessmen and their employees is not just the historic city but the fact it is protected by the green belt and not surrounded by an urban desert.

According to Elvington Park's master plan, Mr Wormald's "vision" includes "fully laden wide-bodied jets and other very large aircraft".

The increase in traffic, noise pollution and damage to the environment will destroy much of York's attraction for local people and potential investors.

If the council approves the erection of 200 metres of hangars on green belt land which has been protected under the Local Plan, no open space in or around York will be safe from destruction. We should view the green belt as an appropriate setting for the city and an asset to its future generations.

Richard Frost,

Chairman,

Heslington Parish Council,

Hall Park,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, March 10, 2005