THE plans for 500 homes next to Askham Bog have been branded a "disgrace" by a member of the Terry confectionery family, which previously helped save the wildlife site from development.

The Bog was earmarked for housing after the war, but two parcels of land were bought by Francis Terry and fellow York confectioner Arnold Rowntree to ensure its future.

They gifted the land to The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Trust, which was set up to look after the Bog and later became the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, which is now vigorously opposing the house-building proposals for adjacent land at Moor Lane.

Betty Lawrie, 94, whose father Noel was joint managing director of Terry's with his uncle Francis, has written a letter to oppose the latest proposals.

She wrote: “The plan to build homes so close to Askam Bog is a disgrace. The district council should be utterly ashamed.”

She said that since she had lived in Dringhouses as a child, a "wonderful area known as the brick ponds, full of so many water birds, fish, insects and plants" which had enthralled her and her siblings, had been "destroyed" by the construction of a housing estate.

Developer Barwood Land has claimed that its proposed housing scheme would not only have no adverse impact on the Bog but would instead assist in its long-term protection and enhancement for future generations, including through the creation of an impenetrable barrier to prevent continued trespassing.

Managing director Jamie Gibbins told The Press its planning application was supported by a comprehensive environmental impact assessment which drew on a series of technical studies, which all demonstrated that the site was "entirely appropriate" for housing development. This included detailed technical work in relation to the Bog.

He also claimed it was an excellent location at which to meet some of York’s urgent need for new housing, which had now reached an acute level, and he hoped the city recognised the "many benefits" of the proposals.

But Betty said: “Anyone with any knowledge of wildlife knows that it requires an environment free from perpetual human noise and interference.

“I fear their idea of a prickly hedge will be even less effective than Trump’s wall against Mexicans, though admittedly less expensive."

She also argued: “There must be numerous other places in York district, probably even brownfield ones, which could be used instead.”

Her comments came after almost 6,500 objections were made to the scheme via the trust’s website alone.