IN response to J Taylor's letter (October 22). I think she misses the point of the residents' opposition to the building of 540 homes in Osbaldwick.

Basically it is because of the noise and pollution from heavy traffic in a pleasantly quiet area and the damage it will cause to the ecology of the area involved.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) should have established the extent of any objection before plans were made for the development at Derwenthorpe. Furthermore, considering it was council-owned land, it is not unreasonable to expect a much higher allocation than the proposed 65 affordable homes from a total of 540.

As JRF is, through the housing trust, a social landlord projecting an image of a caring and understanding organisation, it should take notice of the strong feeling of local residents and utilise other sites which, apparently, are available.

If council-owned land is to be sold for development it should, in view of the existing high demand, be restricted to the building of affordable housing by social housing landlords who are willing and capable of such an undertaking.

Mrs J Taylor should realise that the residents of Osbaldwick who oppose the development have a democratic right to voice their concerns and, in doing so, it does not mean they are uncaring and selfish.

Elizabeth C Earle,

Dower Court,

York.

Updated: 08:37 Saturday, October 30, 2004