CHARLIE Croft, assistant director at City of York Council, writes that "a planning application has been lodged by World Tourist Attractions Ltd to bring the wheel to Tower Gardens. This is completely independent of the council" (Letters, February 17).

But the council owns the land. They could simply say no without the need to even go to the planning stage.

On January 26 the Evening Press reported that: "Coun Keith Orrell, City of York Council's leisure chief, said the authority had been working with World Tourist Attractions for three to four months on the scheme."

How independent does that sound, Charlie? He adds: "Contrary to concerns raised by your readers, there is no suggestion that any trees will need to be removed if the application is successful".

The huge 54m (177ft) diameter wheel will have a footprint that will take up a large section of the park.

The wheel weighs 365 tons and is transported on 24 lorries, and includes ticket booths, ramps and toilets etc.

Could he explain how the wheel will fit in the park without felling or damaging any of the trees?

Has he seen the park?

Having 250,000 people trampling on their roots will damage trees, even without the 365-ton weight.

Roger Mowbray,

Bootham Terrace, York.

Updated: 09:34 Thursday, February 24, 2005