AS a community, we are extremely concerned about the proposed demolition of Alliance House, part of the former carriageworks in Holgate, which represents a major part of York’s industrial history.

This is alarming both in terms of heritage and democracy.

At the same time the council were seeking the public’s views on heritage assets within the proposed York Central development last year, Network Rail were applying for permission to demolish Alliance House – one of the buildings listed within the consultation.

If York Central is about embracing heritage within the development then a move to demolish this is a backwards step.

Demolition of Alliance House was granted on the sole basis that its disposal would permit an access road into York Central: the Chancery Rise link.

Following the November executive last year, we were promised a public consultation on access options into the development, and up until now demolition was put on hold.

However, we have since been told by the council that Network Rail will dispose of the building in the summer, ahead of this consultation and before planning permission is in place.

Not only does this communicate a blatant disregard for heritage, but also that the York Central Partnership are pressing ahead with this access option despite repeated assurances that “no decision has been taken”.

Benjamin Hall, York