I PROBABLY overloaded Adam Nichols with information when he asked for York Natural Environments Trust's views on Hungate (March 13). May I therefore clarify and expand some points?

Firstly, Mick Phythian is now chairman of YNET. Secondly, far from "standing in the way" of Hungate redevelopment, YNET supported it from the outset, working with City of York Council developing the design brief and subsequently, alongside other environmentalists, with the developers, attempting to secure a suitable landscape scheme.

Our support, however, is not unquestioning. Modern environmental and planning guidance is that development should be used to achieve "the halting and reversal of habitat fragmentation".

Hungate is just one link in a process which could one day restore continuous wildlife habitat throughout the length of the river. An opportunity lost now is lost for the life of Hungate.

Unfortunately, the developers cannot grasp either the importance of habitat continuity or people's enjoyment of wildlife. While satisfactory riverside habitat is proposed for part of the site, they propose an outdated "urban" (their word) treatment of the remainder; large areas of paving, much existing vegetation destroyed and the residue threatened by shading from over-tall buildings too close to the river.

YNET therefore remains ready to talk but will soon formally object to the proposals as they stand.

Barry Potter,

Vice chairman,

York Natural Environment Trust,

Knapton Lane,

York.

Updated: 10:23 Saturday, March 15, 2003