THE Joseph Rowntree Foundation hopes to take possession of the 'Derwenthorpe' land in the near future, and that any profit from the development will be put back into the site.

I cannot understand why the city council is dealing with an unelected and unaccountable housing association when they could, at great profit to the city's coffers, achieve the same result by selling the 50-odd acres, worth an estimated £25 million, to national builders such as Persimmon or Barratt.

The council can insist on 35 per cent affordable housing and adequate open space.

I have tried for months to obtain assurances from various city councillors, including Coun Potter, and our MP Hugh Bayley, that the council will benefit financially from the value of this land; none will give this assurance.

I urge all uncommitted councillors and concerned citizens to write to John Prescott and demand that a public inquiry be held into all aspects of this proposal.

George Heppell,

Riseborough House,

Rawcliffe Lane,

York.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, November 25, 2004