CITY of York Council's slogan for public consultation is "Tell Ann" but is she listening?

What will it take for Ann Reid and her fellow Liberal Democrat councillors to listen to the citizens of York?

How can they justify ignoring huge opposition from local residents to the Barbican scheme? I wonder whether Ann Reid will be able to maintain her composure if the proposed Derwenthorpe (New Osbaldwick) development is given the go ahead.

Apart from the public outcry, does she realise that when the bulldozers clear the ancient meadows and hedgerows, all of the life they support will be slaughtered as well?

What of the hedgehogs, the rabbits, the field mice, the moles, the water voles, the birds, the frogs and newts, the wildflowers, the honey bees, the butterflies and other insects?

It will be a massacre, thousands of innocent creatures all sentenced to death, hundreds of metres of ancient hedgerows ripped out, 50 or so acres of ancient meadows which have survived for hundreds of years destroyed.

A Wilson,

Grasmere Drive,

York.

...IN recent weeks when picking up the Evening Press, I have read of so much dissatisfaction with some council scheme or other. These include objections to the proposed Barbican scheme, proposed housing development in and around the city, the size of the percentage of council tax increase, car parking charges and so forth.

It seems to me that City Of York Council is grossly out of touch with what the residents of York want and is intent on forcing its schemes despite opposition.

I remind the council that it was elected to serve the community not to dictate to it, which does seem to be happening. I hope the council can prove me wrong.

R Peel,

Temple Avenue,

York.

Updated: 11:52 Monday, April 26, 2004