NORMALLY, plans to demolish a building in a conservation area would have us jump up in the air or launch a campaign. But the place in question is an ageing accommodation block, not generally seen to be of particular historical or architectural merit, which is to be pulled down to make way for an emergency homeless shelter and new council houses.

This city has a housing crisis and that makes matters even worse for the most vulnerable, so anything that can ameliorate the problems they face has to be welcomed.

That doesn't mean any building is fair game for replacement, but York has more historical treasures than most and there are times when we can – and should – put people first.

This is one of them.