Seize opportunity sports plan gives (From York Press)

Seize opportunity sports plan gives

11:56am Tuesday 15th May 2012 in Letters

OAKGATE’S application for a new Monk’s Cross stadium and retail development reaches York’s planning committee on Thursday. It is right to remind ourselves of the many benefits this proposal will bring.

A stadium with community facilities has long been a priority for York. This is an excellent opportunity for one funded mainly by the private sector.

Bootham Crescent and the existing Huntington Stadium are no longer fit teams or spectators. If this opportunity is not taken, how much longer will we wait?

York is a wonderful city with a growing population. It needs jobs and investment. It can only be enhanced by this development, including M&S and John Lewis, two high-quality retailers and employers.

It will add choice and variety, just like the Designer Centre. The Monks Cross site is available now and work can begin quickly.

To refuse this application would send out a incredibly damaging message to all our visitors and investors. Instead let’s show that thriving York is indeed an open and forward-looking city.

Peter Vaughan, Manor Garth, Wigginton, York.

City councillor 1995 to 2003, Huntington parish councillor 1991 to 2007.