WATCHING the political parties falling over each other to tell residents how much they love the green belt, two things leap out.

Firstly, York’s green belt doesn’t officially exist; due to party-political fighting, it has never been officially ratified. Secondly, York’s draft green belt is rated as 100 per cent ‘neglected’ in a Campaign to Protect Rural England and Natural England report.

When asked, most of us see a green belt as a natural space we can enjoy; for walks or cycling, for visiting parks and nature reserves. We imagine an environment where wildlife is protected and nurtured.

Reality check. York’s draft green belt contains just 11 hectares of park land out of 25,553 hectares; 15 times less park land than Stoke on Trent’s green belt. We have three times less public rights of way than Gloucester’s green belt.

We have no management programme for rivers, and less than one per cent is designated nature reserve. Where are the cycle tracks and lakes? We have 40 per cent less woodland than the UK average.

Instead of crowing how much they love it, our politicians might focus instead on ratifying the green belt and creating a public amenity space the public can actually use and enjoy.

Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.