I WORK in a Los Angeles museum dedicated to the preservation of and the teaching about the history of the Jewish people as part of world history.

I have read of the threats to York's Clifford's Tower by the commercial development called Coppergate II.

If this comes to pass, the tower's historical importance will be buried and forgotten amid crowded shops and indifferent shoppers.

Wouldn't it be more fitting for a park to be built surrounding the tower so York residents and tourists may be able to visit the site and contemplate the historical structure in the context of modern society's values?

It is a national treasure, one to which York must accord the dignity it deserves.

Vikki Helperin,

Skirball Cultural Centre,

Los Angeles, USA.

...'You Decide' the Evening Press proudly announced on its front page devoted to the Coppergate II development (August 15). I doubt if we will decide. City of York Council has an appalling record of listening to its citizens.

Coppergate II will destroy York's individuality. It will become just another, smaller Leeds - dull, grey, hostile and, above all, bland. York's history is what sets us aside from the other 'identikit' shopping cities in the region. It will not help York.

We cannot support all the shops we have already, so a few more very expensive units can only remain empty and unused. This white elephant will ruin the city.

But we will get it anyhow. The council will make sure of that.

Richard Greaves,

Morehall Close, York.

...SOME weeks ago I challenged Richard Akers' over Land Securities claim that the Coppergate Riverside scheme would be ecologically sound - pigs flying over Clifford's Tower seemed more likely than an environmentally-sound development.

Mr Akers' latest claim that "our development... will play a key role in adding to York's attractiveness as a cultural and heritage centre" makes me wonder if I shall see Gloucester Old Spots reciting Shakespeare over the tower soon.

The proposed development will add about as much to the culture and heritage of the city as Clifton Moor or Monks Cross. It is time for a little honesty in this important debate.

Richard Firn,

Stockton Lane,

Heworth, York.