I HAVE seldom read such ill-informed nonsense as that contained in Richard Robinson's letter 'Double standard' (November 17).

It is obvious that he has not taken the trouble to avail himself of all the information relevant to the change of use of Mill Hill Stores, which was freely available to anyone who cared to look.

Coun Atlay never said that Mr Ali's business was not a "proper" one. He simply said that a hot food take away, which includes fish and chips, with all its attendant problems, was not appropriate for a residential area such as Mill Hill.

This opinion was almost universal among the residents of Mill Hill and the surrounding area.

Fortunately, the planning advisor and the planning committee, after two meetings and a site visit, were unanimous in their agreement with this opinion.

To try to introduce a racial element into this situation, where none exists, is an unmitigated slur to which I object intensely.

If Mr Robinson had taken the trouble to check his facts he would have seen that part of the final paragraph of my letter of objection reads: "If he wishes, Mr Ali can bring his family to live at 539, Huntington Road and they will be made very welcome."

I would like to see Mill Hill Stores returned to what it was originally and I think many people would agree.

K E Baldwin,

Huntington Road, York.

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, December 01, 2001