IN response to the two articles about the city council's plan to build the new Arclight Centre at the former Shipton Street School (July 14 and 15), Coun Ken King should be praised rather than berated by Coun Macdonald for doing his duty to local residents by putting us in the picture about what is happening, hopefully before it is too late.

As for the main issue of building the new centre, I strongly object to the council building in what is basically a quiet residential area comprising people of all ages including families with young children and elderly residents.

After reading council press releases from last December and January, I understand the centre will be open for longer hours than it is already open in Leeman Road, which is bound to mean people coming and going for most of the day and evening, causing extra noise nuisance.

Having spoken to other residents, the main concern is more crime in the area because of the nature of the customers of the centre, which also means extra pressure on our already stretched police.

Finally, because the Arclight project has been given substantial funding for a new building, why can it not be built in an area that won't affect local residents as it already does in Leeman Road and would do in Shipton Street and surrounding streets?

Linda Tate,

Newborough Street,

York.

Updated: 09:36 Wednesday, July 20, 2005