Coun Alexander and his Labour Group should strongly reconsider proposing to sell off the Union Terrace car park to York St John University for small short-term gain compared to the irrevocable damage to the local Gillygate economy.

This is yet another example of hastily thought-out policy from a party seemingly more concerned with image than substance. If Coun Alexander thinks that a one-off sum of £2 million will provide his administration with a popularity boost by promising a vaguely detailed cosmetic upgrade to the Gillygate area, his judgement is badly flawed.

There are several compelling reasons for avoiding “selling the family silver”. Indefinite annual income of £400,000 from the car park is better for the council than a one-off £2 million – which when it’s spent is gone forever; the loss of jobs in Gillygate businesses if passing trade disappears will offset any new jobs created; and if shops close down, then the council will lose significant revenue from business taxes.

As a former Student Union president at St John’s, I am thrilled it is flourishing, but this is a development that could be sited elsewhere for the good of local retailers.

Nick Love, Deangate, York.