IT is time to put a halt to myths being circulated in your paper from a minority of residents in Haxby regarding the issue of consultation over the site that is currently Oaken Grove School.

At the very beginning of this process there was a large public meeting, attended by councillors Janet Looker and Peter Vaughan, where they confirmed that if the school were to close then there would be public consultation in the area as to the potential for the site and community use.

Now that the decision has been made to close the school, the council has a duty to explore options for use of the building and erstwhile playing fields.

Clearly some of these may not be supported by some residents.

Extensive consultation has taken place including leaflet distribution to 5,000 households in the ward committee area, informing residents, inviting comments, and inviting them to discuss the issue at ward committees and a display in the local library.

So extensive has been this consultation that is has been met with much praise from Haxby ward councillors. I'm sure they recognise that we must move forward and utilise the opportunity for new uses that can benefit Haxby and the city as a whole.

Decisions must follow consultation even though they may be opposed by some people.

Jane Overhill-Smith,

Vale of York Labour Party,

Hillcrest Avenue,

Nether Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 10:44 Monday, March 25, 2002