In response to Hugh Wrigley’s letter (Why Heronby new village is a bad idea, The Press, September 17), there are simply no parallels to be drawn between the new towns programme of the 1950s to 1980s and the proposal for a new North Yorkshire community at Heronby near Escrick.

Post-war, the 48 government-mandated new towns, including Warrington, Peterborough and Milton Keynes, were focused on infrastructure and built at speed, the largest of them accommodating populations of around 100,000 and more.

This was not conducive to weaving a strong social fabric.

By contrast, Heronby is a single landowner-led proposition to deliver a 1,300 home community, with employment space, public open space, schools and shops by 2040 – to help meet Selby Council’s targets - with the ability to grow to 4,000 in around 50 years’ time.

It is inspired by new sustainable settlements at Tornagrain and Chapelton in Scotland and Nansledan in Cornwall.

The estates behind these settlements already have a deep knowledge of the area and have been firmly embedded in their communities for hundreds of years where they contribute significantly to society, the environment and the local economy.

Village extensions that are not of a critical mass to drive facilities are the least sustainable option for development, according to the Building Research Establishment.

This is why, given the requirements set out in Selby’s local plan consultation, Heronby is best placed to meet the needs of our future generations.

Paul Roberts, Turnberry Consulting,

Planning/ development advisors, Maddox Street, London W1S 2PD