TO set the record straight I must respond to some of the inaccurate claims and statements made by letter writers in recent editions of the Evening Press.

Christine Benney and Dave Taylor claimed the Coppergate Riverside development was strongly opposed by most people in York (December 5).

They also said the scheme was rejected by York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Banyard said the closure of C&A would leave an empty store in the existing Coppergate Centre.

So let me point out: independent market research across the 29 City of York Council wards showed that those who either agreed or strongly agreed that Coppergate Riverside should go ahead outnumbered those who disagreed, or strongly disagreed, by a ratio of almost two to one. Those who strongly disagreed made up just 11.8 per cent of respondents.

Following revisions to the plans the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce reconsidered its earlier opposition to the scheme and voted in favour of the development going ahead.

While I will be sorry to see the C&A store close - following a national decision by the company to shut down all of its UK and Ireland retail operations - I look forward to welcoming the new Allders store to Coppergate. Allders will be taking over the C&A premises in January and opening for business next spring.

Diana Dickson,

Centre manager,

The Management Office,

Coppergate Walk, York.

...STELLA-ANNE Jackson is right to suggest a city-wide petition to demand a public inquiry into Coppergate II (Letters, December 11).

Such a united campaign could help to force the Government to set up an inquiry and go on to mount a serious campaign around the inquiry itself.

In common with other organisations York Socialist Workers Party has taken a stand against Coppergate II, and for the creation of a public open space; this found a resonance with a broad strata of people when we petitioned over the issue in York city centre recently.

It is clear that there is substantial opposition to the plans. But so far this has been fragmented and uncoordinated. If a public inquiry is to be called, and a successful conclusion reached, a more concerted campaign is called for. So we are urging all individuals and organisations opposed to Coppergate II to link up together in a united front to stop this development.

Together we can build a massive and united campaign to defeat Coppergate II and make it clear to the council that our city is not for sale. Contact me on 07956 237 270 or yorkswp@hotmail.com

Frank Ormston,

Campaigns organiser,

York Socialist Workers Party,

Waverley Street, York.