Like so many other people I was delighted to hear that the Secretary of State has dismissed the appeal by Barwood to build on the land at Moor Lane, Woodthorpe (delight as 500 homes plan near bog rejected, May 14).

I have been fighting the development of this land ever since the Labour group allocated it for possible development in 2013. I am grateful that my fellow Liberal Democrat councillors and residents of Woodthorpe and beyond supported the long campaign and pleased that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust added their considerable weight to help defeat the proposals.

The Inspector and Secretary of State both agreed with residents that there were no very special circumstances that would make this development acceptable in the Green Belt and that Askham Bog, designated as a SSSI and an irreplaceable fenland habitat would be harmed.

The effect on the Green Belt and Askham Bog were the focus of our objections and I am so pleased that those objections have been heard loud and clear.

During the lockdown both Askham Bog and the surrounding open countryside have provided welcome green space for people’s daily exercise. Now that the threat has been removed, residents can continue to enjoy this open space, safe in the knowledge that it has been protected from this ill-conceived development.

Ann Reid,

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Woodthorpe 1985-2019,

Grassholme,York