DURHAM City is a World Heritage site. Indeed the heart of the city has been described as both unique and the finest architectural and historic site in the world.

Accordingly, in planning terms, the city requires very special consideration indeed - and that very definitely includes consideration of its green belt.

The Durham County Plan (DCP) proposes drastic encroachment - or, more accurately, gross violations - upon that green belt. Therefore, the DCP is fundamentally unacceptable, and I commend planning inspector Harold Stephenson for saying so.

Were any natives of County Durham to say so, our words would undoubtedly meet with supercilious disdain. However, Durham County Council cannot treat a government inspector in that way, however much they would like to.

Tony Kelly, Crook.