PROTESTERS against plans to build a new homeless centre in York have sent an open letter to council leader Steve Galloway demanding Arc Light's application is deferred.

Members of the joint committee of Clifton Residents' Association have also asked to "urgently" meet Coun Galloway and other members of the city council's ruling executive before a decision on whether to sell the building is made on September 19.

The letter, which will also be sent to 4,000 households in the Clifton and Bootham area, demands residents are "provided with the full information" relating to the Arc Light Reprovision Board - the project set up to find the homeless organisation a new home.

Arc Light, which is currently based at Leeman Road in temporary premises, has to find a new permanent base and the former Shipton Street School has been identified as its preferred site.

But news of the organisation's plans provoked fury in Clifton.

It prompted 2,000 people to sign a petition protesting against the project. A public exhibition by Arc Light displaying details of its plans has failed to dampen the public furore, and campaigners are now stressing the need for "open city-wide consultation".

The letter, signed by Dave Nicholson on behalf of the board, said the row over the release of Arc Light's plans was part of a deliberate attempt to keep residents in the dark.

Coun Ken King told Clifton people about the plans in mid-July - only after, as the Evening Press revealed, he was asked by a senior councillor officer not to reveal details of the scheme.

The letter states: "It was the board's (Reprovision Board) intention to keep residents in the dark until their 'exhibition' at St Luke's Church Hall on August 16.

"It seemed to us to be a deliberate attempt to allow residents of the city the absolute minimum period of time in which to be consulted."

The committee has accused the council of failing to consult adequately with residents and say there is a "public lack of confidence" in promises made by the director of Arc Light, Jeremy Jones.

Updated: 10:01 Thursday, September 01, 2005