I WOULD like to thank Maureen Robinson for her comments with regard to the White Swan and Ryedale House (Letters, November 11).

Survey work undertaken for City of York Council identified at least 800 bed spaces in the city centre.

While some buildings are more difficult to access than others – although creative imagination and design could be applied – the main problem is that many buildings are owned by distant investment companies.

Many of these companies seek retail investment yields of eight per cent and do not see the attraction of a residential yield of three to five per cent.

However, during the financial downturn views have changed.

The council now has a policy to bring back empty homes and encourage the redevelopment of accommodation above city centre premises.

While city living is not attractive to all, many are now seeing its benefits as they have in other UK cities and across Europe Finally, with regard to Ryedale House, due to the floor size and internal layout, I understand conversion to accommodation would be difficult. But if imaginative design was brought forward at an affordable price, then perhaps it could be an option.

Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Homes and Safer Communities, Amberley Street, York.