MR SINCLAIR (Letters, November 6) states that the Coppergate II proposal could be refused without a resulting increase in demand for additional out-of-town shopping.

He refers to the Government's policy aimed at preventing "further significant out-of-town floorspace".

What Mr Sinclair seems to forget is that the shopping floorspace will have to be located somewhere. The planning authority may not be able to resist a swing to out-of-town shopping. If this happens, large retailers may seek to move out of the centre with consequences on the remaining shops.

Over the last decade York city centre has remained popular despite competition from Monks Cross, the designer outlet and Clifton Moor.

The population of York continues to grow and research suggests there is an increasing level of retail spending in the York area.

Both City of York Council and central Government want future shopping developments to be focused on York city centre.

Equally, past public polls have supported improving city centre shopping. We want to increase the vibrancy of the centre which Coppergate II will help to achieve.

However, the Government's policy (which is adhered to by the council) is that if additional city centre sites are not available for new shops, the council has to consider alternatives: first on the edge of the city centre; then anywhere including out-of-town.

That argument does not cover availability of unit size - we know the city centre is short of larger units. The absence of suitable larger units could also, as we have already found, stop us from refusing out-of-centre applications.

If the application is refused by the Secretary of State, the council will come under pressure to permit further out-of-town shops.

Coun Dave Merrett,

Executive Member: Planning, Transport and Environment,

City of York Council,

White House Gardens,

York.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, December 06, 2001