PERHAPS Mr Moore, as president of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, is in a position to answer a simple question which, to date, the RMBI has studiously ignored.

The question is this: why was the RMBI's planning consultant involved in the process to remove the trees?

Until this is explained, local residents will continue to disbelieve the RMBI's assertion that the removal of the trees had nothing to do with the planning application.

Mr Moore clearly has a commendable concern for trees and the environment. I do not think that the same can be said for others in the RMBI - in particular those who have a more day-to-day involvement in the unacceptable proposals at Connaught Court.

Constance Smith,

St Oswalds Road,

York.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, November 26, 2004