Sir, I write as Vicar of St Barnabas, Jericho, and as a resident immediately next to the Castle Mill Boatyard.

You are, of course, right in your leader (June 2) when you state that British Waterways had the law on their side when they evicted those occupying the site.

Since an eviction order had been granted by the court the implementation of that order had been expected for some time, but what British Waterways seems imper- vious to is the alienating effect the manner of the eviction and the consequent erection of a high fence topped with barbed wire is having on the neighbourhood. I do not think this alienation is going to be helpful to the developer they have chosen for the site.

I agree with you that we must not lose sight of the future of the land. Your readers should be assured that the city council has insisted that any development must include affordable housing. British Waterways has promised additional land for a new community centre, which they were bound to do following comments by the planning inspector at a recent appeal. It is also to be hoped that a new scheme will be one sensitive to the scale of most Jericho housing and also to the view of the 19-century "neo- Byzantine" Basilica of St Barnabas, which dominates the site of the Castle Mill boatyard.

Fr Michael Wright, Jericho