JON Meacock's argument that the University of York's expansion would bring additional sporting facilities for local residents raises some questions. (Uni Gives Eastern Promise On Sport, May 2).

It may have escaped Jon Meacock's notice that residents already have the benefits of the John Lloyd tennis centre with swimming pool, gym (and traffic generation) on the Hull Road Ripon and York St John site. As I write, I hear footballers shouting from the university pitches stretching down almost to the ring road. What local residents want - and have said repeatedly to City of York Council and the university - is not sporting facilities, but continuing access to open countryside. No number of swimming pools, football pitches, tennis courts and Olympic opportunities will compensate for the loss of the local farms, the sense of history and the quiet walks into the lanes and fields of this edge of the city. And how will the city account for itself to future generations? "This used to be green belt but the University of York needed a swimming pool to compete in the world of higher education."

Angela Fisher,

Main Street,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 09:53 Friday, May 05, 2006