AFTER studying the detailed plans, visiting St Mary's and following the debate in the press I am convinced that if Coppergate Riverside goes ahead it will be disastrous for York.
The economic viability of the historic city centre will be undermined, driving local retailers out of business and leaving historic buildings unoccupied and eventually derelict. The development will increase congestion, pollution, noise and danger from the road traffic which is already set to rise significantly in the coming year. It will dominate Clifford's Tower and the Eye of York. The River Foss will become a channel surrounded by high buildings.
The plans miss a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost the economy for all and provide much-needed housing, regenerating the city centre and taking pressure off green-field sites. Any development should provide a landscaped open space next to Clifford's Tower with a continuous green corridor along the River Foss and a link from the east side of the River Foss to the cycle route along the Ouse to Millennium Bridge.
I urge all readers to make their voices heard on this crucial issue for our future.
James Semlyen,
Grange Street,
York.
...I READ with interest the letter from Diane Myers regarding the promotional video she has made for Land Securities so that they in turn could use it to promote the arguments for proceeding with the Coppergate II development (July 24).
She said she wanted to "present the background" to the proposed Coppergate development but the finished video only showed one side of the story, the side that Land Securities wanted the public to be told, that York needs this development.
She compared her video to a party political broadcast. This is not a true comparison. When we watch a party political broadcast we know in advance what party it is promoting and we watch to see and hear their proposals for their political aims. They are one sided and we accept that.
The problem we had with her promotional video was that only the developers' side of the story was told and no constructive opposing view was even hinted at - even though she had a day on the streets interviewing the people of York.
Stuart Wilson,
Vesper Drive,
Acomb,York.
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