CAN York learn a lesson or two from non-league Canterbury? After reading Stephen Lewis's illuminating article (August 24), which was a tale of two cities, it seems so.
Here we had a council, Canterbury, with vision and as aware as the developer of the value of a prestigious development site. Additionally, realising the damage that is caused by unsympathetic development, the council had ensured in negotiations with the developer significant concessions and not just another retail development.
Obviously a council on the ball when it comes to obtaining best value. As the site's developer is also the one behind Coppergate II, maybe we should ask Canterbury to carry out our negotiations.
In the process of gaining planning permission, the initial proposal seems to be just an opening shot by the developer to see how much it can get away with. The proposed re-development of the old Victoria store site is one such case in point. Compare the initial unsympathetic-for-the-location design which when refused planning permission was soon replaced by a much-improved design.
Surely then, with a firm stand by our council, the Eye of York could have a scheme which does it and York justice?
Richard Lamb,
Greystoke Road,
York.
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