I AGREE with Paul Cordock from Strensall that something needed to be done about the Barbican (Letters, July 25).

It was indeed a loss-making liability because of the way it was being completely mismanaged by the council. However, he needs to make sure that he is given all the facts before he puts pen to paper.

It is not the Save Our Barbican group that has caused long and costly delays to the Barbican redevelopment but rather the machinations of a council that has sought to implement a plan which goes against its own planning policy.

There was never a proper consultation that sought to learn what the community really wanted for their centre.

We have lost a valuable facility and despite promises of alternatives they have not been provided.

As for the licence extension, many in the area fear for our quality of life.

We already have to deal with vomit, broken glass and half-eaten takeaways on the footpath, and rowdy customers on their way home from town late at night.

With the Barbican opening its doors to as many as 3,500 customers until 2.30am every night of the week, and serviced by about 16 pubs within a few minutes' walk of it, the situation can only get worse.

When I moved here I did so knowing that across the road was a health and fitness facility that my children and I could and did use.

As a York resident, I know my interests and those of my family have not been represented by this present council.

How does Paul Cordock think a nightclub venue in a residential area will benefit the most York residents?

And the written objections of over 200 residents and a 700-plus signature petition represent a very concerned and angry community.

Maria Dodd,

Barbican Road,

York.

Updated: 09:38 Monday, August 01, 2005