York cannot now, or looking ahead, support more houses and people without life getting more difficult for its people than it already has.

The city is full and struggling; like our country. I think this is the real worry of York people and it is not so much a case of protecting their own back yard, although they know their own areas best.

Rather than expanding nearby village areas, which would become part of the city, I think housing development should be kept to affordable housing for young locals. It can be done if there is the will.

Any sizable new development for the area should be planned, with accompanying services, commerce and industry, in new towns further out.

It has been done successfully before, at places within easy reach like Tadcaster, Malton, Wetherby and Pocklington.

It may offer new work opportunities for York people and leave more space in the city for those who now take priority: students and tourists.

Free of growth, the city could make the improvements, badly needed now, to improve the lives of its 200,000 population for the future, bringing the roads and pavements, transport, drains, flood defences, public toilets, health and social services, education and training, sports, leisure and cultural facilities and the market up to scratch for rates and tax payers.

The tourist industry would have to pay better wages too, if this meant less cheap labour coming in.

George Appleby, Leighton Croft, Clifton, York.