I write in response to the possible re-location of the Arc Light homeless hostel to the disused school in Shipton Street.

This is not a case of not in my back yard. Arc Light has helped numerous individuals down the years. More cogently, the present centre provides a refuge for those less fortunate and it does so at a venue which was remote from any residential centre.

When Arc Light opened, St Peter's quarter was not under construction and the only neighbours were used and disused warehousing facilities apart from the National Railway Museum, which was only open during the day time. In the late evening and night time the closest residents were those in Leeman Road, a walk away from the city centre and with few attractions for those who used Arc Light's facilities. So it was a relatively safe environment, for the public and for the homeless.

I am a resident of Burton Stone Lane and I am appalled by the lack of foresight and unbelievable judgement in promoting this move.

It would bring a group of individuals right into the heart of a densely populated area - many of whom will have alcohol or drug problems. They would only add to this often troubled neighbourhood further.

It would make more sense to use a building on, for example, the James Street business estate. There are few individuals there at night, it is close to the city, and there are few children. Perhaps there are other, similar, areas.

Conceivably, this move isn't about providing better facilities for the homeless, but about saving money and bringing a disused school back into use, albeit for a totally inappropriate purpose.

Think again.

Build a state-of-the-art hostel and drop in centre, but closer to the city centre, in a more suitable location.

Paul Rose,

Burton Stone Lane,

York

Updated: 09:27 Wednesday, August 03, 2005