REGARDING the proposed development at Osbaldwick, and the letter on the subject from Coun Ruth Potter (May 16), City of York Council bought and earmarked the land for housing in 1927.
When, in the Nineties, they had to apply to Ryedale District Council for planning permission, the parish council and all the local sporting bodies wanted the land to remain "green" and set aside for sport and leisure.
In Marsh 1993 York council wrote to Ryedale saying subject to Ryedale withdrawing their conditions, York would build 350 houses and there would be eight hectares of open space for sport etc.
This was agreed and the planning inspector gave the go-ahead. Then many members of the parish council resigned in protest.
When City of York Council took over this section of Ryedale, it came up with the present scheme (yet another broken promise by a Labour council).
It is, however, gratifying to know that when this project is completed, because of the wisdom of City of York Council and the philanthropy of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 540-plus families on the waiting list will have been re-housed.
Coun W H Hall,
The Village,
Osbaldwick, York.
...SO Osbaldwick post office is to close, (May 23).
During this time the Post Office's head of external relations refused to meet residents collectively and would only meet with two representatives.
Despite pointing out to him that a planning application would shortly be lodged by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and City of York Council for 540 homes in this vicinity, and that at least 22 per cent of residents in Osbaldwick were aged 60-74, in comparison with a 15 per cent average in York, every argument was vetoed.
Even a proposal that our local newsagent transfer the business into his shop on a part-time basis, thus saving the post office money, was said "unlikely to be a viable proposal".
When many post offices throughout Britain are on the verge of extinction, for the post office to have the words "an essential part of everyday life" at the top of a letter heading, seems only to add insult to injury to the people from Osbaldwick, Murton and Badger Hill who rely on this service.
Liz Wilson,
Osbaldwick Village,
York.
Updated: 10:51 Monday, May 26, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article