In reply to Roy Wallington from City of York Council who maintains there has been 'extensive community consultation' over the proposal to develop the site near Osbaldwick and Tang Hall ('Residents Voice Anger Over Process', Evening Press, January 26).

What has been going on since this project was proposed six months ago is an exercise orchestrated by the council in partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation under the guise of 'local consultation'. This has been a contrived attempt to get the communities affected on board to ensure a smooth transition to the next stage of the planning process.

The lack of factual information from the officers about this development has so far been abysmal. Only in the last few days has it been revealed that the number of houses to be built will be increased from 350 in June 1999 to upwards of 500, and that access to the site is likely to be via existing roads. We still await a decision on the sensitive issue of the on-site over-head high voltage electricity cables.

During the recent planning exhibition local people were invited to vote and comment on their preferred design. When inquiring if the vote would be dealt with in a democratic manner, the response from Alex Luscombe of the City of York Council was 'it's not a vote it's an indication of feelings' How this information will be used in the final selection process on January 31 remains to be seen. Is this what Mr Wallington means when he says that 'at each step local people will have their say?'

D Spaven,

Appletree Village, York.

...SURELY this new community or new village on land west of Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick, is nothing more than an urban sprawl at its worst.

Five hundred-plus houses is the death knell for the separate identity of the village of Osbaldwick, and will affect the value of properties in nearby areas and put hundreds more cars on the road.

The whole of the east side of the parish between Osbaldwick and the Green Belt is an ugly collection of industrial and commercial buildings. Now, the last area of green - meadows and hedges for wildlife - is to disappear.

The people of Osbaldwick are being asked to vote on which of four so-called master plans they prefer. But I say do not vote. First let us have a democratic vote on whether there should be any development.

If York requires more land for housing they should first ban further hotel and office development in the city; clear the office blocks and derelict sites in Piccadilly, Walmgate, Stonebow and Hungate and build family houses not apartments. The only shop required is a medium-sized supermarket with integral parking. These developments would not only ease traffic problems but would benefit ordinary York people.

Obviously, therefore, they are a non-starter with a council which is business and tourist orientated and anti suburban and country.

C Stamp,

Nursery Gardens,

Osbaldwick, York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.