City of York Council take consultation seriously and value the view of local people, as is clear when we look at the facts about the development of land at Osbaldwick.

The complaints by Mr Hardcastle (Letters, January 26) are not justified because they are based on a misunderstanding of what has already happened and what is yet to come.

The council, in partnership with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has engaged in the most extensive consultation exercise this city has ever seen for a housing development: public events attended by 2,000 householders, leaflets delivered to thousands of homes, face-to-face discussions with hundreds of local business people and community leaders.

In addition, we have engaged some of the best designers in the country to come up with innovative yet practical ideas for the development. They have been informed by local opinion and have worked closely with community representatives.

Their plans have been on display for four days and have met with positive support from the 1,000 residents who came to look. And yes, we have evaluated all of the 650 written responses received ready for our meeting today.

But this is only the beginning. Once a preferred master-planner is chosen, they will begin to work in earnest with community representatives and the wider public to develop detailed plans ready for a formal Planning Application. Once more, York people will be consulted at this stage, prior to a formal decision by councillors.

Far from rushing things, we are only half way through.

Roy Wallington,

Head of Strategy & Commissioning,

Customer Advice Centre,

City of York Council,

George Hudson Street,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.