The proposed development at Connaught Court Nursing Home, Fulford, is a particularly unfortunate example of heartless and greedy property development.

It is unfortunate because the same institution proposing the development now provides the protected environment for the nursing home.

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute is seeking to make a profit from this beautiful green open space involving two conservation areas, without any consideration of the impact on the community by selling the land to property developers.

Fifty four new homes and 38 new care units will surround elderly people living in the nursing home on the proposed site and those in nearby homes for older people.

Three of the four apartment blocks planned are partly in the flood plain (and a site of special scientific interest) - directly against the advice of the National Environment Agency.

Many local houses will be overshadowed by buildings which are intrusively near and over-sized for the neighbourhood.

Local roads will be seriously overloaded with traffic.

The proposed planning application merely mentions "outline application for erection of a 38-bed extra care home, residential development, relocation of existing bowling green and provision of new access road".

But the extent of the "residential development" only becomes clear on close inspection of the accompanying plans.

Let's hope City of York Council stops this plan which is so out of keeping with the intentions of the original benefactors who set up Connaught Court Nursing Home.

Liza Miller,

St Oswald's Road,

York.

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, September 08, 2004