Derwenthorpe objectors first made their opposition heard on June 16, 2000 and have done so on a regular basis ever since, as regular readers of the letters page will know.

Previously in June 2000 a decision was expected by January 2002 and "if all goes to plan," it was said, "construction could commence in March 2003".

Unfortunately it did not go to plan, thanks to the objectors. Here we are drawing to the end of 2004 and still waiting for this much-needed housing.

It seems to me the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has bent over backwards to amend, modify and improve its plans for the intended site of Derwenthorpe, to try to appease and mollify complaints.

Despite this the protesters have maintained their negative and unreasoning attitude.

Their intent seems to be to ensure that the thousands of people desperately requiring housing should have the present and future needs of their families take second place to this endless debate over the future of the newts and other complaints.

Mrs J Taylor,

Tennent Road,

York.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, October 11, 2004