ONE of York’s major listed buildings has passed all the planning hurdles that stood in its way.

The council’s project team managed to get a reassessment of the listings of the Mansion House and the Guildhall and achieved the de-listing of the civic garages to enable a couple of tables and chairs to be put outside the new café.

A new entrance is to be made in the historic Guildhall wall, the old dais is to be done away with and a new modern structure is to be placed further forward and the balustrade presented to the city from our twin city of Munster to be moved to a new position out of most people’s sight.

All this to facilitate a so-called business centre.

The Guildhall is to be licensed for up to 400 people, a new restaurant on site and a café, both to have a licence, it is extremely doubtful if the general public of York will ever see the inside of this building again.

Most residents will be amazed at yet more restaurants and bars coming into the city centre by the council itself.

Councillors voted for it with little debate, past and incoming Lord Mayors included.

This shows what little, or no, regard they have for the historic values of our great city.

Only ex-Lord Mayor Cllr John Galvin was prepared to air his opposition to some of the proposals and deserves a mention.

Brian Watson, Beckfield Lane, Acomb, York