Sir, - It has come to my attention that a minority still believe Red House School, Norton, is going to expand its number of students. I would like to scotch this rumour once and for all. This is unequivocally not so. There have never been any plans to do this.

Red House School will be 70 years old next year. The building was designed and built as a residential house and has been part of the green for over a century.

We are part of the green. That is why we made a commitment not to expand. We are renovating and modernising in sympathy with the village green surroundings, and we will be investing over £1.8m in improved classrooms, amenities and facilities for our existing schoolchildren.

Why would anyone want to deprive the beautiful local area of such investment?

We give the best education possible, and that means providing the most up-to-date facilities. The enhanced facilities will ensure Red House maintains its position as one of the most successful private schools in the Tees Valley.

Running alongside these renovations, Red House School, with the local residents and the wider Norton community, is committed to improving the circulation of traffic around the green with our Green Traffic Plan. This will actually decrease traffic, not increase it as has been rumoured.

Not only will there be a greater degree of car share at peak times, we have also introduced staggered starts and a breakfast club to cut the average number of cars using the green at any one time.

As part of the Green Traffic Plan, we are also putting forward an option for a drop-off lay-by point at the rear of the school. This will further reduce the traffic.

We have the welfare of not only the school, but the green and the village of Norton at heart.

Christopher Allen

Headmaster,

Red House School,

Norton.

Good work

Sir, - I write in response to your report about the Scotton Owl and Raptor Rehabilitation sanctuary (D&S, Oct 31).

As a Police Wildlife Liason Officer in Richmondshire, I have received excellent support from Neil and Juliana Fowler. Their organisation does nothing but good for sick or injured raptors.

They educate the young into a life of caring for our wildlife which can only be a positive step in this age of "don't give a damn".

The objections raised I am sure can be dealt with and as for there being a concern over the perceived fall in local wild birds due to the birds of prey, I can assure you that a far higher percentage of birds are killed by domestic cats.

I wonder how many of the objectors own a cat? I sincerely hope a workable compromise can be sought that will allow the Fowlers to continue with their valuable conservation work.

PC MARK RASBEARY

Wildlife Liaison Officer,

North Yorkshire Police.

Open space plea

Sir, - After reading the reports in your newspaper about the requirement for Richmondshire District Council to evaluate its assets, we are concerned about the fact that Richmondshire District Council is now obtaining valuations with a view to the possible sale of Westfields and other lands.

In our view, this beautiful area, which forms part of Richmond's heritage, should remain public open space forever.

We believe that the council should be made aware of the views of the people of Richmond by presentation of a reasoned argument for Westfields' preservation as public open space, possibly supported by a petition.

We would like all those willing to assist in the preparation of our case to attend a public meeting in Richmondshire Cricket Club at 7.30 on Monday.

MIKE PATTISON

Chairman of Richmond Business and Tourist Association

JOHN BLENKIRON

Warden of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers

BEV JOICEY

Civic Society

COLIN STEGEMAN

CPRE Swaledale branch

JEAN ROBERTSON

Westfields,

Richmond.

Poor response

Sir, - Coun Weighell, the leader of North Yorkshire County Council, and Coun Kenyon, the chairman of North Yorkshire Police Authority, have not replied to my letter (D&S, Oct 10) about planned increases in their budgets over the next two years.

The figures requested will be readily available in each authority's financial and business plans.

This is very disappointing. After all they are both public servants, elected by us, paid by us and accountable to us.

It may be just another oversight but for both councillors to falter at the first hurdle insinuates collusion. Quite rightly, they may be particularly nervous about revealing too early their intentions to hammer the council taxpayers once again with monster increases in their budgets.

It is truly a great pity that leading councillors nowadays are not prepared to reply to letters in the Press requesting reasonable information which is in the public interest.

Surely this is an indicator of true accountability, as well as being a measure of their competence to hold highly responsible positions in charge of our public services.

R COLLIN

Pikepurse Lane,

Richmond.

Tax protest

Sir, - I refer to the ongoing problem of the council tax. Should council officials and council employees' pensions and certain other allowances be sacrosanct, gold plated?

MPs as well recently voted themselves rises. Why should they not suffer financial constrain like the rest of us? The unfortunate OAP has had to settle for meagre rises in his pension.

Many have worked hard all their lives and saved at the same time for their old age and now find their nest egg slashed by a large percentage. Many are suffering real hardship and are not expected to continue to bolster council funds for many who have useful salaries and often seem able to retire early.

John D C Piper

West Burton

Leyburn