Barry Potter, chairman of York Natural Environment Trust (YNET), is correct that much correspondence has been generated between himself and the City of York Council (May 12).

However it seems clear that it is Mr Potter's own political agenda that generates this correspondence rather than concern for the way in which council policies protect our natural environment.

As anyone who cares to study the city's Draft Local Plan will quickly confirm, the council's policies are in fact a very careful balance of development, environmental and other issues.

If Barry Potter seriously doubts this, he will have the opportunity to say so at the forthcoming public inquiry.

As Mr Potter is very well aware, he has already had replies to the important issues he claims to be outstanding, in some cases on several occasions. Indeed some issues have been debated at length in the Evening Press. Issues such as pollution of the River Ouse are regulated by statutory authorities, notably the Environment Agency. The Agency has not only carefully considered and approved the council's current proposals for drainage to the city's new park and ride facility, but in fact recommended the scheme adopted by the council.

The council undertook a major consultation process on Coppergate II, both for the original planning brief and also for last year's application.

The Hungate development brief is currently being prepared and will be considered by councillors soon.

Council officers have acted professionally in the consideration of these schemes and their actions are subject to scrutiny not only by the public but also external bodies, the Local Government Ombudsman and if necessary the court.

Mr Potter in presenting his opinions is of course not so constrained and is free to say whatever he thinks fit. He has nothing to lose except his credibility.

Coun Martin Brumby,

Chair of Environment Services,

East Parade,

Heworth,

York.

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