WHILE reading the letter from Richard Best, director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (May 24), I was again staggered by the way in which he tries to have us believe the proposed Derwenthorpe development would benefit the people of York.

It spells disaster, providing none of the benefits which Lord Best dangles, carrot-like in our faces. It will increase traffic to beyond saturation point (yes, Mr Evely the cup will run over).

Our beautiful local meadowland, and its inhabitants, would be destroyed and many local homes would depreciate in value.

Lord Best notes the new development would provide "superior eco standards, more accessible design, pedestrianised home zones and better public space".

This would all be at the expense of York residents and existing home- owners in the surrounding areas; the vehicular access to their homes, the established home zone areas and current public space would be destroyed to build and allow access to this proposed nightmare.

Lord Best also comments that if 540 homes were proposed to be built in other areas of the city there would be others who would object. If it were on these terms, Lord Best, I would say you would be absolutely correct.

H Hayes,

Ingleborough Avenue,

York.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, June 01, 2005