THE proposed development of 2,500 new homes on so-called green-belt land in York will, and already has, generated protests from some quarters.

It is very easy to protest about new developments when you already have a home yourself, but many of today’s young people are struggling to afford this “luxury”.

Part of the reason for house prices being so over valued and out of reach of today’s youngsters is a shortage of housing. Developments such as the one proposed for York should be welcomed by anyone with a conscience.

I concede that infrastructure and support facilities need to be upgraded to accommodate the influx of new people to an area, but would also urge the protesters to remember that once upon a time the whole world was green belt... including the plot of land your own home was built on.

There is nothing new about building on green belt land. If we hadn’t, then there wouldn’t be any homes in the world. For the sake of today’s youngsters, please stop being so selfish.

Tony Taylor, Grassholme, Woodthorpe, York.