ONCE again the Joseph Rowntree Foundation publishes a pamphlet extolling the virtues of the proposed development at Osbaldwick and tells us how grateful we should all be.

The depth of feeling expressed by the recent petition will prove to them how "grateful" we are.

We are certainly grateful to them for the destruction of the last green fields this side of the city; for the chaos and pollution they are going to cause during the eight to ten years construction period and for the prospect of increasing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area.

As for the "public consultation," the scheme that received the most votes was ignored in favour of PRP and the only items consulted upon since then have been those that affect the site, not the surrounding areas. The report on the roads commissioned by the parish council has been totally ignored.

Outline planning permission should not be granted until all these problems have been resolved.

Coun W H Hall,

The Village,

Osbaldwick, York.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, December 17, 2003