AT the first committee presentation of York's draft local plan, I demonstrated that what City Of York Council called a "balance between conservation and development" was a one-way process relentlessly consuming our green spaces.

I also extracted an admission that the 1997 York housing needs survey, on which the plan's housing policy, including Derwenthorpe, was based, was no more than a housing aspirations survey.

Bristling with indignation, but with no cogent argument to rescue his officers' blunder, Councillor Brumby rose imperiously to his feet and denounced me as an "environmental fascist".

It was one of the most satisfying moments of my life. In that moment of bluster, something I shall forever think of as a "Brumbyism", he had both lost the argument and admitted that he viewed concern for the natural environment as a position of the far right.

He is now ex-councillor Brumby and his odd views on crested newts will hopefully do little harm (Letters, July 12).

Engineers such as Martin Brumby are thankfully, but too slowly, fading into oblivion, being replaced by a new breed using their skills to undo the environmental damage of their predecessors.

I saw their visionary work recently in suburban London, where the little River Quaggy has been liberated from decades of confinement in a concrete culvert and given a new naturalistic course; a home for wildlife and a delight for people.

Talking to the engineers, environmentalists and politicians responsible, I realised that here in York, where council engineers want to culvert more of Tang Hall Beck, we are ten years behind the times.

But the times will come. Environmentalists be hopeful. Brumbies beware!

Barry Potter,

Knapton Lane, York.

...IN response to Martin Brumby's letter (July 12), the proposed Derwenthorpe development is a concern also shared collectively by the residents of Osbaldwick Village, Fifth Avenue, Temple Avenue and surrounding areas and not just by those living in Meadlands.

Len Butler,

Russet Drive,

Meadlands, York.

Updated: 11:09 Wednesday, July 21, 2004