Anne Petherick's letter quite rightly points out that the city council actively promotes sustainable developments through its Draft Local Plan (May 18).

This also includes a policy which promotes "the conversion and use of upper floors of shops for residential purposes."

In the last two years, planning permission has been granted for homes in under-used space in numerous locations throughout the city, including Shambles, Micklegate, Fossgate, Gillygate, High Petergate, Colliergate and Aldwark.

Affordable homes above shops in Rougier Street and Micklegate have recently become available for occupation and there are planning applications currently lodged with the council for schemes in Goodramgate and Micklegate.

As the housing authority, City of York Council actively encourages the conversion of empty commercial and retail space above shops.

Grant aid is available in partnership with local housing associations to assist with conversion costs if the homes being created are available at affordable rents, and available for let to people in housing need from the council's housing waiting list.

Negotiations for the conversion of a further seven city centre sites are currently underway.

Developers are welcome to consider conversions for market rents to sale, but where public money subsidises these conversions, it is expected that the homes will contribute to relieving the high need for affordable housing in the city.

Ms Petherick offers a commercial consultancy service specialising in living over the shop developments. We will be pleased to discuss further proposals with any developers or consultants where we can be assured it is likely to produce real results.

Ian Thomson,

Assistant Director

(Planning & Design),

City of York Council,

St Leonard's Place,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.