I AM disgusted and angry at the gutter-type comments made about Huntington by the Osbaldwick Parish Council and the other residents' associations fighting the development of Derwenthorpe.

They are scraping the barrel when they resort to the mindless attack made in the Evening Press ("Party Poopers," September 25).

Let's put the record straight. New Lane in Huntington, from Ryedale days to the City of York Council, had always been in the Green Belt - until the quick-fix, short-sighted Tracy Simpson-Laing and co (the party responsible for the traffic congestion and sky high buildings in York) came into power, produced a Local Plan which put forward 71 per cent of the total Green Belt land for commercial development for York and 32 per cent of the total Green land for housing development in Huntington.

Huntington Parish Council and residents rightly objected to this development because the east of the city remained unscathed. Therefore, after much hard work by parish councillors and residents we were able to put forward a proper and sound case showing the unfairness of this Local Plan.

Thankfully it was listened to by more sensible councillors who realised that the balance was wrong.

The Derwenthorpe protesters show their ignorance of the situation in Huntington. There are ponds in Huntington, there are newts, there is a massive transport infrastructure problem and Huntington has one of the highest water tables in the York area.

Our Parish Council is made up of 15 councillors of differing political aspirations, but all work together for the good and benefit of Huntington, and do support development when it is justified - this development was not.

Peter G Richardson,

Clerk to Huntington Parish Council,

Merlin Covert, Huntington,

York.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, October 04, 2004