IT is good that something positive is to be done about the Bonding Warehouse, in York.

It has stood for too long, gathering dust and pigeon poo, an ignominious fate for a building so symbolic of the river's long importance to the city's prosperity.

It is to be hoped that no premature decision about its future will be taken which might pre-empt full discussion of all the options.

Gillian Cruddas is right to say it could provide some form of leisure venue for residents and visitors, as in the past.

Even if it is eventually sold off, if this function could continue, it would keep a building which belongs to the city, and is bound up with its heritage, accessible to the public. It is questionable whether it would convert acceptably to residential use.

As the person who wrote its description for the Statutory List Of Buildings Of Architectural Or Historic Interest For York, I can say that its historic significance was only one of the reasons it was listed.

It was included also for the way it was built to minimise fire risk in a building piled high with valuable bonded merchandise. People who frequented the Bonding Warehouse in the old days will remember the brick vaulted ceiling on the ground floor, supported on cast iron columns. Floors above are largely open spaces, characteristic of this kind of warehouse building. It is difficult to see how suspended ceilings and partition walls could be introduced without harming the building's essential character. Residential use could well be inappropriate because the work necessary could be damaging to the character of the listed building.

Let us hope a more appropriate use can be found, to respect the historic character of the building and keep it accessible to the people of York.

Alison Sinclair, Norfolk Street, York.