I WOULD like to comment on the article ‘House scheme sparks protest’ in the Gazette & Herald (June 23).

I have read with interest various comments and am fully aware of the long struggle to achieve any form of affordable housing in Thornton-le-Dale, mainly because it always comes up against so called “neighbours” who simply don’t want any form of social housing anywhere near them.

That’s the brutal fact, and the sooner people admit that the better it will be. Issues of flooding are used in their determination to stop this development.

If no land had been allowed for development on areas of so-called flooding there would be no Farmanby Close, no Aunumns, no Castle Close etc, etc and there would almost certainly have been no Thornton-le-Dale School.

As a councillor, I am sick of trying to achieve decent affordable homes to be built for our local families and every time see people coming up with these spurious reasons for not having any near them.

I am very concerned that whether this is nimbyism or not, the greater threat is the I’m Alright Jack scenario that sadly prevails.

Everybody says what a superb plan these developments are, but it’s in the wrong place. Could those who think this, give us a list of where the right places are?

Sue Cowan, Liberal councillor, Ryedale District Council