IN reply to the letter of December 22, headlined “Wildlife haven is under threat” and regarding the proposal to build six much-needed affordable houses on a site at Pottery Lane, the land identified is not allocated as amenity space in the local plan and has no public access.

In fact it is currently fenced off, is overgrown with some poor-quality trees and has been used for fly-tipping.

A bat, ecology, and tree survey has been carried out on it which has informed the proposal, which includes a landscaped area planted with wildflowers and new trees with bat boxes to enhance the ecological value of this area.

A public information event was recently held and the vast majority of residents support the proposed development.

A planning application has recently been submitted and local residents are welcome to view the plans and comment on them once it has been validated by following this link: planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications.

Michael Jones, Housing development manager, City of York Council.