IN reply to Ms Bowman's letter (October 28), what makes her think the new sports club would be any cheaper than the private clubs to which she now pays large sums?

We already have in York a sports venue which provides affordable sport and recreation facilities for more than 3,000 members - the York Railway Institute.

Unfortunately, the institute is included in the "tear drop" development scheme on the land behind York Railway Station.

I hope the planning committee, which has denied the people of York a new sports ground, do not do the same with the institute when this scheme comes to fruition.

AP Cox,

Heath Close,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:16 Thursday, October 30, 2003