If this area has to be developed a number of criteria ought to be considered:

l That the area alongside Scalby Beck is set aside as a Nature Reserve with both woodland and wetland areas.

We live on the other side of Scalby Beck and regularly see badgers and foxes, also occasionally deer.

Human beings are spreading across the countryside and we must set aside land for wildlife.

l That any new houses are designed to have a minimum carbon footprint eg. solar heating, triple glazing, insulation, rainwater collection, compost areas etc.

They do not need to be large – smaller houses are more economical to run. They should have reasonably sized gardens as you can see from the aerial photograph that gardens contain far more trees, shrubs and flowers than farmland and are more beneficial to birds and invertebrates.

Nowadays many people want to grow their own fruit and vegetables so many local people would benefit if part of the area were used for allotments, the nearest ones being on the far side of Scalby Village.

The bus service which is not very frequent should be improved to avoid yet more cars visiting the town centre.

We should oppose thoughtless planning applications – to build hundreds of houses with little regard for the overall environment – but consider carefully thought-out plans based on ecological considerations.

Mrs Roughley

High Mill Drive

Scarborough