MY friend Jack Hughes, a foreigner from south of Doncaster, has argued with me that the natives of York are not interested in the city or its future on the grounds that they appear to have no interest in the planning process or a willingness to take part in various protests from time to time.

I do not believe this to be true, judging by the response of your correspondents, some of whom I know to be natives. The effectiveness of a letter to your column may be debatable; however they often produce a response from councillors or officers.

I wondered what your "native" readers think of the proposition that they have no interest in their city.

My own concerns relate to the mass of new and proposed new-build housing. With acres of new roof space where, I wonder, are the solar panels, the photo voltaic panels (electrical generating devices), the geo-thermal heating systems or the sustainable drainage systems (flood prevention drainage)? Too expensive no doubt, less profit for the developers.

Why is our planning system not insisting on the use of this technology? Why are we building properties in the centre of York with off-street parking and garage facilities when we are trying to encourage the use of public transport and at the same time closing yet more highways and creating more traffic congestion?

I shall not be standing for the council or demonstrating on the street, but I shall be writing to the Secretary of State in detail with my concerns.

Charlie Stone,

Millfield Road, York.

Updated: 11:16 Monday, January 23, 2006