WHEN I was asked to respond to Sir Bernard Ingham's suggestion that the Coppergate Riverside scheme was "a remarkable example of civic vandalism" I questioned whether he had studied the plans in any detail.

It would appear, from the letter he has sent to the planning inspectorate, that Sir Bernard has not studied the plans at all.

In his letter Sir Bernard states: "I have just become aware of the plans for building a five-storey shopping mall on Castle Green directly in front of and reaching up to Clifford's Tower in the city of York."

He goes on to say that: "those who support its erection are devoid of sensitivity and respect for our heritage".

Had Sir Bernard sought to gain a full understanding of our proposed scheme, he would have discovered that no building in the development will be higher than four storeys.

The buildings facing on to Clifford's Tower are not a "shopping mall", but two distinct buildings that incorporate a mix of uses - shops, homes and restaurants and leisure. The development is not directly in front of Clifford's Tower. The building line is 83ft from the base of the mound.

The buildings will not be "reaching close up to" the tower, because it will 'tower' above any new buildings - in exactly the same way as it does the nearby Hilton Hotel which, coincidentally, is approximately the same distance from the base of the tower as will be any new buildings.

Sir Bernard's claim that those supporting the Coppergate Riverside scheme are "devoid of sensitivity and respect for our heritage" is a gross distortion. It takes no account of the fact that English Heritage, the custodians of Clifford's Tower, were engaged by us in detailed discussions before giving their support.

Richards Akers,

Portfolio director

Land Securities,

The Strand, London.

...FURTHER to Mr Merrett's letter (December 6) about extra shopping space for York, I think it is he who is too ambitious in thinking all this retail space will be filled.

The point that the population of York continuing to grow automatically links to an increasing level of retail spending is unfounded.

Who has benefited from this increase in spending? I, like most people in retail, would expect the increases to have gone straight to the supermarkets, Tesco and Asda especially.

During the past ten years or so retail has undergone a vast change. York has a unique identity that needs to attract people in a totally different fashion to other cities. Large monolithic shopping malls are available to people the length and breadth of the country, they are bigger than anything York can hope to offer. So why try to compete at this level?

It is better to build on the strengths of the city and offer visitors something special and unique to York. I question Mr Merrett's insistence that this vast increase in space is needed.

Who would have thought that when all the planning for Coppergate was being undertaken, the high street name of C&A would be no more? York city centre is extremely lucky that it got a replacement store - but it is not a new addition to the city, but an outlet that the city already has. Allow Coppergate to go ahead in its present format and more of the same will ensue.

The retail revolution has already taken place in York. These past issues need to be looked at in a much more dynamic way than Mr Merrett appears to be willing to do. Coppergate thinking is badly out of date.

Kevin Scott,

Main Street,

Sutton-on-the-Forest,

York.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, January 03, 2002