THE comment from Lord Richard Best that "it was the residents who participated in choosing the planners and architects" (December 8) is not entirely correct.

We had the choice of "voting" on four planners/plans for New Osbaldwick from a shortlist displayed at various venues. The form we were asked to complete said "vote".

We were then eventually told that it was not a vote "but only expressing an opinion". The vote/opinion count showed that the planner Aire Design was chosen by about 45 per cent of the local residents, and about 27 per cent chose PRP.

The planner PRP was chosen by City of York Council and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation because "Aire Design had no track record and the plan was not sustainable". Why was it shortlisted in the first place?

So what happened to the democracy, consultation and choice we read about so often when this development was talked about?

No wonder that people are suspicious about accepting at face value further details as they become known.

LC Butler,

Russet Drive,

Meadlands, York.

Updated: 11:41 Monday, December 15, 2003