THE comments made by me and referred to by Stephen Burton (Letters, February 4) related to Labour claims that we had increased the density of housing that would be required on development sites.

This is not true, because the current minimum levels are those agreed while Labour were in control.

What has happened is that sites identified as suitable for housing have been reassessed to ensure that best use is made of all sites and a realistic number of dwellings are provided in line with Government directives.

How a developer meets those requirements will be entirely up to them. It doesn't necessarily mean higher buildings, as has been shown on one of the sites quoted in the original article, namely Tedder Road.

I was surprised to see Coun Simpson-Laing quote this site as she clearly hasn't realised that it received planning permission under Labour with an increase in the number of homes to be built. There has been no increase in heights in the area and many of the 128 family houses are now complete and occupied, and not a Tardis to be seen.

Coun Ann Reid,

Executive member for planning and transport,

Grassholme,

York.

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, February 08, 2005