CITY of York Council has stated that the cost to the taxpayer for the public inquiry into the Coppergate II Riverside scheme is likely to be £111,000 (November 15).

If the council had not got itself into this situation, there would not have been such large costs.

Can the council not understand that most of the citizens of York and the tourists who visit here do not want it to build a large, out-of-town-style shopping development up to and around Clifford's Tower?

York Tomorrow offered an alternative green park area and yet its proposal was not even considered.

The £111,000 bill includes the cost of a barrister. Why? Is there no one in Roy Templeman's environment and development department who can argue the case in a coherent manner and put forward the arguments for the Coppergate II development?

The Coppergate Riverside proposed development should be confined to Piccadilly. This area is in desperate need of revitalisation.

The area around Clifford's Tower should be left as some sort of open space, so that we can all view the castle in a more natural environment.

Stuart Wilson,

Castle Area Campaign Group,

Vesper Drive,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:10 Tuesday, November 20, 2001