I REFER to the article by Sally Fletcher and the comments made by Peter Turner on the decision to build 18 flats on New Lane, Huntington (June 13).

I can assure Mr Turner that the Parish Council is equally appalled at the planning decision made by City of York Council. Unfortunately we can only comment on planning applications and the city council can ignore these comments if they wish.

We have twice strongly objected to the planning application to build a block of three storey flats on this site. You would have thought that 22 letters of objection and a parish council that represents over 10,000 residents would count for something. Obviously not.

It is a disappointment that this new council and the development control officers who advise them, are carrying on the ways of the old city council by making decisions to satisfy developers without thought for local residents, or the amenity of the area.

Once again it looks like Huntington is going to be the developers' "hunting ground", with devastation to our amenity and our green belt, backed by the new city council.

Peter G Richardson,

Clerk to Huntington Parish Council,

Merlin Covert, Huntington, York.

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, June 18, 2003