THE controversial proposals for a new homes development at Derwenthorpe in York have been praised by MP Hugh Bayley as an imaginative attempt to meet local housing demand.

He said he also understood and sympathised with local people concerned about traffic using their roads to get to and from the development.

But he stressed that he believed the planning application was a matter for the council, which had a statutory duty to make decisions, and he had to concentrate on issues which he could affect.

The MP was responding to a letter from Robert Peel, a resident of Temple Avenue, which is set to become one of four access roads into the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's proposed 540-home new settlement, formerly known as New Osbaldwick.

Mr Peel said he felt Temple Avenue was a "narrow lane", suitable only for pedestrian access into the development.

Mr Bayley told him: "I entirely understand the upset of people who do not want to lose the rural aspect of their homes, nor to have their quiet roads become through roads for a new development.

"I also understand the view of the scores of people who write to me every year, because they cannot afford to rent or buy a home in York." He said the council had about 4,000 people on its waiting list.

"I commend the council and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust for their imaginative scheme to try to address this problem. I sympathise with the people whose local environment would be changed if it went ahead."

Asked by Mr Peel for his views on the proposals, he said planning permission was a matter for local councils.

He said he had many responsibilities to attend to on behalf of his constituents - "in relation to taxation, health, social security, pensions, crime, prisons, agriculture, industry, trade, defence - and there is only one of me, compared 26 councillors in my constituency.

"If I tried to do the councillors' job too... I would not have the time to take up issues with national government on behalf of my constituents, and I respond to about 2,000 such queries raised by constituents each year.

"I am not passing the buck, but concentrating on issues which I can affect."

Mr Peel told the Evening Press he felt the MP's letter was "rather rude", implying that other issues were more important than the development. He also felt the MP was passing the buck.

Mr Bayley said he had not meant to be rude, but simply explain the position clearly to Mr Peel.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, February 13, 2004