LORD Best writes that there is little chance of the meadows at Osbaldwick being designated a nature reserve because it would be too expensive (May 24).

The meadows are already a nature reserve, as anyone who lives close by will realise and this costs nothing at all. The site forms a beautiful green oasis and is very popular with dog-walkers, children and anyone who just wants a bit of peace, quiet and fresh air. The loss of this open green space cannot be compensated for by digging up parts of the meadows and transporting them to New Earswick to create a much smaller site there.

It is ludicrous to suggest this landscape of a patchwork of fields with mature hedgerows and ancient wildflower meadows can be maintained in the urban setting of a housing estate. It will inevitably turn into a bloodbath for the wildlife living on the site.

It has been suggested that what has been proposed is a high quality development, but the housing density on the site is comparable with other green field developments in York and it is difficult to identify anything that is innovative about Derwenthorpe.

At best it is a mediocre housing estate; at worst, a bad example of unsustainable urban fringe development and badly organised public consultation.

Adrian Wilson,

Grasmere Drive, York.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, June 01, 2005