I HAVE been asked by many of our members to clarify some misconceptions which appeared in your article on Coppergate II (November 6).

York Chamber of Trade is essentially in favour of economic development in this city. We have consistently and publicly backed significantly more retail space, together with office and residential development, on Piccadilly, a Fenwicks extension and the creation (with the possible support of heritage lottery funding) of a splendid new public open space and cultural building close to Clifford's Tower.

We have also backed several other developments in the city, the new proposed Doncaster Finningley airport and we are about to support a large planning application at Monks Cross.

However, we are not prepared to sanction a fundamental threat to York's historic city nor a substantial shopping development between the River Foss and Clifford's Tower.

This proposed scheme is not good enough for this city. The people of York know it as does the city council.

It is also incorrect to say that refusal of the Coppergate II application will result in more out-of-town shopping. Planning directives PPG6 and 13 enshrine the Government's desire to prevent further significant out-of-town floorspace throughout Britain.

York Chamber of Trade will not shirk from saying and doing the right thing by this city. That goes for before, during and following the planning inquiry. We are in this process for the long term.

A M Sinclair,

Chairman,

York Chamber of Trade, York.

...SEVERAL months ago, the Evening Press published a letter from me which pointed out the inadequacies of the Land Securities survey referred to by Richard Akers (November 10).

My findings have never been challenged. They have simply been ignored.

Although I do not claim the impartiality which Mr Akers insists is indispensable for analysing statistical data, I can claim to have no financial, professional or political interest in the question.

In fact, impartiality is far less important in analysing data than parsimony and rigorous self discipline. Answers to questions on general attitudes must not be construed as precise opinions on other related matters.

It is clear to me that the question residents want answered is this: Do taxpayers find the Riverside scheme preferable to any other development proposal for the area, actual or envisaged? If the answer were 'yes', the question would have been put triumphantly long ago. Democracy, as far as local government is concerned, is, as ever, a tomorrow thing.

William Dixon Smith.

Welland Rise,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:07 Friday, November 16, 2001