AS a former citizen of York and regular visitor to my home town (and your web site) I am concerned at the proposed developments at Coppergate II.

It seems to me York is in danger of sleepwalking towards the destruction of its identity for the sake of short-term gain by developers. Do we really want York to develop into yet another faceless, homogenous centre such as, say, Peterborough? Does York really need more shops of the kind aimed at by hungry, fleetingly interested, developers?

That said, surely York does need a beautiful open space from Clifford's Tower to the river.

With these points in mind, what people really need to know is where the council stands and the nature of its relationship with the developers.

The objections raised by retailers in York are not an expression of commercial self-interest: they go to the core of protecting a uniquely beautiful, living northern city. There are too many examples of lesser towns and cities where the old centre has become a dead empty shell. Please don't let it happen to York.

E Coates,

Earl Soham,

Woodbridge, Suffolk.

...RESPECTED organisations in York - The Civic Trust, The Georgian Society and The Natural Environment Trust - are queuing up to oppose Coppergate II and there is a general demand for open space around Clifford's Tower.

Who was in favour of all these shops? Have we not had enough added in recent years and are there not supposed to be too many shops nationwide in this age of e-tailing?

There are far better alternative additions to this city and for the use of the land in Piccadilly. Many congratulations to the Civic Trust for taking the lead.

D G R Rose,

Old Rectory House,

Chapter House Street, York.