LAST week your business editor examined the secrets of York's economic success, founded in the "knowledge economy" and fostered by spin-offs from York University ('York is Booming', May 14).

In their haste to develop every parcel of land as business parks, shopping malls or four-storey apartment blocks, the council must prevent developers from killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

The brains behind the knowledge economy are here because York has a good reputation, pleasant environment, historic attractions - those people could often earn higher salaries in Bracknell or Milton Keynes.

If York is not to repeat the mistakes that gave us Stonebow and Ryedale House, we need planners prepared to tell developers that to be part of York's booming economy they must come up with quality designs that complement York's character (unlike Coppergate II).

The dilemma facing councillors over the future of the Barbican shows there are no quick fixes to be had in selling off the "family silver" of council-owned public services.

The costs saved by the council will be passed on to the users of the replacement facilities. Control over what is provided at one of York's main venues will go out of the hands of local people.

We also need better mechanisms for involving local people in deciding the future of their city. Letters to the Evening Press, ward committee meetings and councillors surgeries can address specific developments, but people also need to be able to influence the economic strategies that people such as Paul Murphy and Tony Bennett are cooking up for us, before they turn into planning applications.

Andy D'Agorne

York Green Party,

Broadway West, York.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, May 22, 2002