THE application from York Brewery (Mildly Mad Pub Company) to open a new public house in Stonegate was rejected by councillors (March 5).

Your report indicated that council guidelines recommend councillors try to preserve shops in and around Stonegate. This same council has previously agreed to a number of new licensed continental style caf wine bars bordering on this famous street.

These caf bars in Swinegate (several), Little Swinegate, Coffee Yard, St Helens Square and elsewhere are a welcome addition to the social scene in York.

It is not surprising that York planners have rejected the application from York Brewery when, in the case of the Frog Hall in Layerthorpe, they overturned existing council planning policies.

Councillors agreed the pub should be turned into a video store despite objections from CAMRA and a 350-signature petition from local residents. In this case it was pointed out by the planning officer concerned that no "change of use" from pub to shop was required.

In the case of the Stonegate property it looks like City of York Council has turned a blind eye in the past to the serving of alcoholic drinks on the premises, when, as they now say it has only A1 use.

Our group hopes Tony Thomson of York Brewery is successful in proving the case of continued use as licensed premises and is granted a "certificate of lawfulness" to allow for the building's future use as a public house.

Geoff Henman,

York Branch Pubs Officer,

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale),

Beagle Ridge Drive,

York.

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, March 16, 2004