I WAS not surprised to read of backing for the proposed development of the Barbican (Support for the Barbican, May 15). Given the questions asked in this survey, it would have been strange to see any other result.

The survey began with a summary of the "improvements" being made to the Barbican Centre. Needless to say, as it was funded by the developers Barbican Venture Ltd, it failed to mention any of the significant drawbacks.

The first of five questions was: "Do you think that the Barbican is in need of investment?" Well, yes. Is there anyone in York who doesn't think that? It is where the investment comes from and who benefits from it that is in question. The questions that followed were equally misleading.

So 500 York residents answered honestly to five loaded questions. More than 6,000 people have signed the petition objecting to the proposals because they know and understand the full implications of those proposals.

In the interests of fairness, a full copy of the Barbican Venture's "bona fide" survey should be published. Let the people of York judge for themselves.

Imelda Pilgrim,

Hansom Place, York

...A GLOSSY circular distributed early in 2003 claimed £3 million would be generated from a Barbican redevelopment scheme which allowed the developer to build 158 apartments and two new hotels.

Apart from the financial benefit, the city council claimed the city would gain by the provision of a new county-standard pool, a health suite above the pool and a revamp of the auditorium.

The council also stressed that York did not have a pool of this standard, which surprised no one.

The circular mentioned that a smaller pool could be provided as an alternative but that would raise "only" £400,000 and would not be flexible (their words, not mine).

Subsequently the council distributed, on a very limited scale, a tiny circular extolling the benefits of a "community" pool and following a dubious "straw poll" decided that York did not after all want a county standard pool.

It seems therefore that for £400,000, the developers are being allowed to double the size of the original scheme and Councillor Keith Orrell is claiming this as a "great deal for York".

Perhaps Coun Quentin McDonald will enlighten the ratepayers by quoting four simple figures (they don't need to be precise):

(i) the total financial benefit to be derived from the Barbican scheme;

(ii) the amount to be allocated to the much-delayed major maintenance of the existing Yearsley pool;

(iii) the amount to be spent on the refurbishment of the Edmund Wilson pool;

(iv) the amount to be spent on other sports facilities after the above work is completed to take the place of those lost at the Barbican.

Joe Jones,

Rawcliffe Lane, York.

...I RECENTLY received one of those helpful council circulars inviting me to participate in the "democratic process".

I was asked which part of the green belt I should prefer to see obliterated. There were five sets of boxes to choose from, each representing a particular site.

Naturally, I looked for the sixth box so that I could indicate my preference for leaving the green belt green and pleasant, just as it was meant to be. To my bewilderment, there was no sixth box. The planners had forgotten to provide one.

Now, I like the green belt. I think it looks nice and serves a useful purpose. Once there were lots of little green patches dotted about the city. I liked those too; but the planners didn't.

Still, if I'm the only Yorkie who likes the green belt, I mustn't complain. That's democracy for you.

Developers don't like the green belt. Put up a shed or a greenhouse and they will cry "brownfield!" at the drop of a brick.

Planners don't like the greenbelt. After all, green belt doesn't give them anything to do. It just stays there, green and boring. All that wasted potential.

Councillors don't like the green belt. So much hassle with developers who keep on making multiple planning applications. Better let it go. Some residents may get stroppy if it's their patch that's going, but they always vote on national issues at local elections; so what the hell!

I have no idea what the people of York think. Perhaps someone should ask them?

W Dixon Smith,

Welland Rise,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, May 18, 2004