A YORK environmental group which is opposed to a 540-home development on the outskirts of the city is boycotting a community planning day focused on the scheme.

The York Natural Environment Trust (YNET) says it wants the public to realise what the city will lose if the New Osbaldwick development off Metcalfe Lane goes ahead.

The group is boycotting the event on Saturday, which is organised by partners Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, part of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and City of York Council, because they believe the plans are a forgone conclusion.

But a spokesman for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the day was a chance for local people and organisations to influence the development and put forward their ideas.

Mick Phythian, chairman of YNET, said he has been raising the environmental issue for years but to no avail and this stance aimed to raise people's awareness of the issues.

He said: "There were quite a number of green corridors into the city ten years ago but a lot of those have disappeared or turned into little islands.

"Our argument is we need the Green Belt. What we want to encourage people to do is look at York as a whole, not just their own back gardens, because there won't be any green corridors left if the developers get their way."

Peter Marcus, spokesman for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "I would still encourage everyone to come, we want this day to work.

"If YNET stay away from the event they are increasing the chance that what we build will not benefit from their expertise.

"It would be a tragedy if they had a great idea to improve this site and we don't benefit from it."

Don Spaven from Meadlands Area Residents' Association said: "We aren't boycotting it because it's in our interests to see what's on the table.

"This proposal is to develop a green field site. It's one of the few open areas for many residents this side of town and for this to be lost under buildings is really a shame and not very good environmentally.

"I would support the trust's views but I'm not sure about their stance of not turning up because that can be counter-productive.

"If you are a pressure group you should make your voice heard at every opportunity."

The community planning day takes place at Burnholme Community College, Bad Bargain Lane, on Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

Updated: 08:53 Thursday, March 14, 2002