Derwenthorpe has much to commend it. The new village would bring 540 new homes to a city suffering from a housing crisis. Critically, many of these will be affordable.

And Derwenthorpe has much more to offer than new homes. It envisages a new way of living, sustainable, social, in harmony with the environment.

Even its opponents must recognise the gulf between this project and the throw-'em-up, high density housing estates put forward by remote and profit-hungry developers.

Much thought has been invested in the Derwenthorpe vision by York's Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Its architects believe it to be a worthy successor to Joseph Rowntree's pioneering village, New Earswick, built a century ago. They are sure Derwenthorpe would become an archetype for ethical development nationwide.

Unfortunately, however, the model village has not been heralded by a model consultation. Many on Derwenthorpe's doorstep are angry about the way their genuine concerns - including increased traffic and a major loss of meadowland and wildlife habitat - have been dealt with.

There is an undoubted conflict of interest here. We revealed last year that the city council, which is both landowner and planning authority, could lose £1.25 million if they pull out of Derwenthorpe.

If the council votes to go ahead with the scheme, it is imperative that all the arguments are aired before an independent inspector at a public inquiry.

Updated: 10:43 Friday, January 21, 2005