I WISH to outline my reasons for being against the Monks Cross II proposals:

1. I know several football fans who want to be able to continue to enjoy a couple of drinks/lunch in York city centre and then walk to Bootham Crescent, a ground of great tradition and heritage

2. York had intended to become an increasingly sustainable city – an ethos still championed by the leader of our council – so it does surprise me that we are now considering a largely car-borne stadium and further car-borne retail park with a huge number of parking spaces

3. Have we not learnt the lesson in this country and in the United States that out-of-town shopping severely drains the heart out of city centres? We cannot afford for York city centre to become just a tourist trap and amusement park

4. I feel sorry for the small traders, particularly on the city’s more vulnerable streets, who are being told they will face a significant drop in trading in this difficult economic climate and will be offered no protection whatsoever.

Some streets are already suffering. Perhaps they could convert to slot machine parlours to complement the fairground atmosphere encouraged by the council?

Mike Cross, Westgate Apartments, York.