I WRITE in response to your coverage of the proposed Arc Light development in Clifton.

A similar project, housing street-drinkers, opened near to me two years ago.

While I do not totally share the NIMBY attitude expressed by many, I do think a period of consultation is needed properly to inform local residents of what the proposed centre will provide and to enable discussion of the impact it may have on the service's users, residents and the community.

When the project opened here, I felt that there had been inadequate consultation; many felt that it had been opened by stealth which has engendered an atmosphere of distrust and fear.

For many, this attitude persists.

I appreciate that due to prevailing NIMBY attitudes, it is often difficult to facilitate full and frank consultation with communities.

However, I do think Jeremy Jones' approach to the community here was similar to that of a government spin doctor.

It was difficult to obtain answers to my questions before the project was opened and myself and others have felt that we have had our views glossed over by Mr Jones, left.

I encourage the residents of Clifton to not allow themselves to be treated in a similar manner.

I would also advise the residents of Clifton to be careful in their dealings with City of York Council. When the project here applied for planning permission for a change in the use of part of the property, the Planning Department went to great lengths to canvas the neighbourhood to obtain views on this.

Obviously many were outraged and did not care about an apparently minor planning application when the council had not tried in any way to canvas their opinions before the project opened.

Mal Tanner,

Burnholme Avenue,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, August 08, 2005