ONCE again I despair of the comments in the Evening Press which seem to encourage whinging rather than pride in some of York's new architecture ('Out-of-scale buildings are blasted', December 3).

I think Westgate House enhances its immediate surroundings, reflecting the elegant 19th century domed roofline of York Station, reminding us of that imaginative man of his time, George Hudson.

Its use of materials, though modern, reflects the medieval walls and the Victorian station while reflecting the changing colours of the sky and trees around it. Walking across Lendal Bridge by the large and impressive insurance company and railway buildings towards the station, evokes a sense of civic pride.

If something like the Civic Trust had existed in the 18th or 19th century they would have stopped architectural development then, and now we would not enjoy the tall houses in Bootham.

Thankfully they did not exist in the Middle Ages or we would not now have the city walls, Bars, Clifford's Tower or even the Minster.

I am certainly not saying the Civic Trust should not exist, just that they should take into account modern requirements, materials and development of 21st century styles; cities must progress.

Britain has changed since 1965; more people are demanding higher standards of living which are also energy saving. They also wish to live in the city centres, to enjoy restaurants, cinemas, theatres, concerts and not to have to use a car.

I wish I could afford to live in such a building, but I am sure there are some successful business people who can. They must certainly be encouraged to stay in York and not look elsewhere if it is to flourish in the 21st century and not decline into the doldrums of underdevelopment as in the past.

Joan Hersant,

Clifton, York.

Updated: 12:14 Thursday, December 05, 2002